BIRANPUR: As many as 8 have been arrested in connection to the murder of father and son in Biranpur village days after one was killed in the communal violence that erupted on April 8th. A 55-year-old man and his son were found dead with head injuries near the violence-hit Biranpur village in Chhattisgarh’s Bemetara district.

In a press briefing, SP I Kalyan Elsela informed that so far 28 have been detained in connection to the violence that erupted following a small argument between two youths. He added that 11 others have been arrested in the murder of Sahu while 9 others have been detained for the arson.

Meanwhile, barricades in the village will be removed in line with an agreement reached between the district administration and villagers. The agreement was reached at the second peace committee meeting held in the presence of District Collector P S Alma and Superintendent of Police I Kalyan Elesela. However, the entry points will still remain barricaded with police personnel stationed for 24 hours. The worship in the temple will continue as normal and namaz will be offered in the mosque. The villagers have been instructed to celebrate all festivals with peace and harmony henceforth and would face legal actions in case of purportedly causing communal unrest.

Violence rocked Biranpur village, some 100 kilometers from state capital Raipur on April 8, leading to the death of 22-year-old Bhuneshwar Sahu and injuries to three policemen.

Two houses were burnt during the statewide ‘bandh’ (shutdown) called by right-wing organizations on April 10, while the bodies of Rahim Mohammad and his son Idul Mohammad were found with multiple injuries at a murum mine on April 11.