Bematra Communal Violence: Five Arrested for Arson; Reward for Double Murder Info Increased

BEMATRA: The CG police arrested five people in connection with the arson in violence-hit Biranpur village in Chhattisgarh’s Bemetara district. As per the probe, the house belonged to the son-in-law of Rahim Mohammad (55) who was found murdered along with his son days after the communal clashes took place in Biranpur on April 8th.

The five have been identified as Ajay Rajak (23), Pravin Kumar Sahu (27), Pradip Rajak (21), and Dinesh Rajak (23), residents of Pendarwani village in neighboring Khairagarh district and Sandip Sahu (20) of Ramhepur village in adjoin Kabirdham district, Bemetara Superintendent of Police Indira Kalyan Elesela said interacting with the reporters.

Two houses were burnt during the state bandh called in view of the communal clashes that led to the death of one and injured 3 police personnel. A case was registered under Indian Penal Code sections 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house) and 34 (common intention). Later, IPC sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, being armed with a deadly weapon), and 149 (unlawful assembly) were added to the case.

The bandh was called by right-wing organizations on April 10th. The following day bodies of Mohammed and his son with multiple injuries were found at a murum mine.

So far 11 arrests have been made in the murder of Sahu, however, the police are yet to track the murderers of Rahim and his son Idul. On Friday, Durg Range Inspector General of Police Anand Chhabra announced a reward of Rs 30,000 for information leading to the arrest of those involved in the murders of Rahim and his son.

Earlier, a reward of Rs 10,000 was announced by Bemtara police on Thursday for the same.