Tension in Bhiwani village; accused yet to be arrested in arson case

Tension prevails in Dhani Mahu village of Bhiwani district, even as the police have been deployed after two houses owned by a Muslim family were set on fire yesterday. Tosham SHO Mahavir Singh said that the police had been deployed in the village to maintain law and order. But so far none of the accused booked for setting the houses on fire could be arrested, he said, adding that the police were in contact with the victim family. The family was away from the village at the time of the incident.

"The police have offered them security cover if they want to return to the village, but they are still out of the village," the SHO informed.

Two houses belonging to a Muslim family were set afire by unidentified persons, who also vandalised the homes and threw out the belongings before fleeing. By the time the fire brigade arrived, most of the household items had been destroyed in the blaze.

When the police reached the scene, no members of the family were present. The neighbours and villagers have been keeping mum.

There is speculation in the village that the incident may be connected to the marriage of a man from the victim family to a woman from Rajasthan, which may have caused tension in the community. The police, however, have not confirmed it, and neighbours are refusing to comment on the matter.

A local resident, Akshay, said the house was locked and no family members were present at the time of the incident. He said a group of 15 to 20 persons wearing masks, and some wielding hammers, destroyed the property before setting it on fire. The 'attack' went on for about 20 minutes.

The SHO confirmed that the house belonged to a man named Hussain and the two houses belonging to the same family were damaged. The police were investigating the matter and would take action once a formal complaint was received, he added.