Tension eases in F’bad village, say authorities

FARIDABAD: The stand-off between two communities in the district’s Atali village, which witnessed communal violence over the construction of a shrine, persists with over a hundred villagers taking shelter in a relief camp in a Ballabgarh police station.

Streets in Atali village of Faridabad on Friday. Tribune photo: Sayeed Ahmed

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, May 29

The stand-off between two communities in the district’s Atali village, which witnessed communal violence over the construction of a shrine, persists with over a hundred villagers taking shelter in a relief camp in a Ballabgarh police station.

The district authorities have, however, claimed the situation improved with the return of some families to the village.

“Villagers feel the pressure of tension and security measures put in place in the village. This has made the movement and assembly of villagers a difficulty,” said Sandeep, a resident.

He said the imposition of Section 144 of the CrPC and patrolling of the police to curb the movement of villagers had hampered the routine work and this has made them believe that things were not normal as claimed.

The administration has deployed a company of the RAF and nearly 500 policemen in the village.

Several persons were injured and houses were burnt down after violence erupted over the construction of the shrine on May 25. Nearly 125 persons are lodged in the relief camp.

Additional Deputy Commissioner AS Dahiya, who visited the relief camp today, appealed to villagers to return to their homes, as he claimed the situation had improved and there was no need to fear.

“Some families have either retuned or preparing to return,” he claimed. The district red cross society distributed eatables at the camp today. “A joint peace committee, comprising representatives of both communities and officials concerned, has been formed to resolve the dispute,” said Tek Chand Sharma, MLA from Prithla under which the village falls.

He claimed the tension had eased, as majority of families were likely to return to their homes soon.

Meanwhile, the state CPM and Sarv Karamchari Sangh have demanded an independent probe and measures to prevent such incidents.

The dispute

Atali village witnessed communal violence over the construction of a shrine. Several persons were injured and houses were burnt down after violence erupted over the construction of the shrine on May 25. Nearly 125 persons are lodged in the relief camp.