Udaipur: A mob of approximately 500 individuals went on a rampage in Tamtiya village of Banswara district late Sunday night, setting fire to 20-25 thatched houses and cattle enclosures, and vandalizing several pucca homes and vehicles.
Retaliation for Murder
Police said the mob fury was in retaliation for the murder of a 27-year-old man, Govind Maheda, over an inter-caste love affair. Banswara SP Sudhir Joshi stated that the main suspects in the murder are Vijay Katara and his father Nanu Katara of Tamtiya village. Govind was allegedly killed with an axe by Vijay and others when he was returning from a wedding function around 9pm. In response, an enraged mob from Maheda's community targeted homes associated with the Katara family.
Violence and Injuries
Several villagers were also beaten up and injured during the mob violence, though police confirmed no deaths were reported. "Shortly after the youth's murder, a group attacked houses linked to the accused," Joshi said, adding that 12 people involved in the violence have been identified, with six of them under detention for questioning.
Police Intervention
Sub-inspector of Motagaon police station, Ramesh Chandra Patidar, said villagers initially pelted stones and prevented police officers from entering the village. One house was already on fire by the time police reached the scene, and villagers prevented officers from extinguishing the blaze. The mob then proceeded to set more houses on fire and blocked the access road with logs to prevent fire brigade vehicles from entering the village.
Additional police forces from nearby stations and district headquarters were subsequently deployed to bring the situation under control. They included personnel from four police stations, along with reserve forces from Banswara city. Senior police and administrative officials, including SP Joshi, remained at the spot until late at night.
Background of Dispute
Police said the violence was linked to an old dispute over a love affair between the two families, who lived in the same village but belonged to different castes. The murdered youth's sister was reportedly in a relationship with a young man from the other family, and tensions had been building up over the issue for some time. Both sides had also previously filed police complaints against each other. Police said the deceased youth had earlier warned the Kataras to stay away from his sister, and the dispute between the two sides had escalated on April 1.
Police have assured action against those involved in the murder, as well as those responsible for the violence that ensued.
