A violent mob armed with sticks and rods stormed the Magneto Mall in Raipur on Wednesday, vandalizing property and specifically targeting Christmas decorations during the state-wide shutdown. The incident has sparked outrage and serious law and order concerns.
Chaos and Intimidation Inside the Mall
According to the mall management, the group of 40-50 people was aggressive and violent. They ran around the closed mall holding rods and hockey sticks. Witnesses reported that the assailants confronted staff and others inside, demanding to know their religious identity with questions like ‘Are you Hindu or Christian? What is your caste?’ They were even checking ID cards and badges of individuals present.
One eyewitness recounted the fear, stating, "We were scared we might get beaten. By the time police arrived, a lot of things had already been damaged. More than anything else, it created an atmosphere of fear. Can't we celebrate the winter festival now?"
Extensive Damage and Police Action
The mob caused significant destruction, specifically smashing Christmas decorations, display items, and fixtures. Images from inside show a Christmas tree and Santa Claus figure torn down and scattered. The mall management has estimated the financial loss to be between ₹15 to 20 lakh.
Capital police have taken swift action, lodging an FIR on Thursday based on a complaint by Magneto Mall. The complaint names 25-30 right-wing activists and invokes several sections of the BNS for voluntarily causing hurt, unlawful assembly, rioting, and mischief.
Raipur SSP Lal Umed Singh confirmed that the matter is being taken seriously. He stated that police have identified a few people involved in the incident and strict action will be taken soon. He also noted that the Christmas and New Year decorations, both inside and outside the mall, were badly damaged. Police are relying on clear CCTV footage that captures the group entering with sticks and creating a ruckus.
Wider Repercussions and Political Reaction
The incident had immediate ripple effects. As a precaution following the vandalism at Magneto Mall, authorities evacuated the nearby Ambuja Mall on Vidhan Sabha road. Police cleared visitors and turned back those arriving in the evening.
The video of the vandalism went viral on social media, drawing strong reactions. Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra shared the video and questioned, "Why is the VHP obsessed with poking its nose into every festival? The VHP should be banned in India before anything else."
These events have raised serious questions about law and order during the shutdown, which was called in relation to the recent Amabeda violence in Kanker district. While the Chhattisgarh 'bandh' saw public support from chambers of commerce and traders, reports indicated that members of right-wing outfits were active in towns and cities, even forcing vegetable vendors to shut their outlets.
