When the dispute over loudspeaker increased in the temple and the tomb, a violent clash broke out, 60 arrested

Violent clash broke out between two communities over the use of loudspeakers at religious places in Sihora town in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh on Thursday night. The incident took place near Azad Chowk, where a Durga temple and a mosque (mazar) are located opposite each other.

According to reports, Aarti was going on in the temple at around 10 pm and prayers were also being held in the nearby mosque. People of both the communities had earlier decided that when puja or namaz was going on at one place, loudspeakers would not be played at the other place. But this rule was broken by one of the parties, leading to an argument which soon turned into stone pelting.

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Controversy increased due to loudspeaker

Inspector General of Police (Jabalpur Zone) Pramod Verma said that the dispute escalated because of the loudspeaker. Now loudspeakers have been removed from both the religious places. The area has been reminded of the state government rule issued in 2023, in which the volume of loudspeakers at religious places should not exceed the prescribed limit. This rule was issued after Chief Minister Mohan Yadav took oath.

Police took strict action after the clash. So far 60 people have been arrested. Five FIRs have been registered, in which there are allegations like spreading riots, damaging religious places. 49 people were produced in court and sent to jail in a case of damage to the temple.

500 policemen deployed

In other cases, there are allegations like defiling the tomb, breaking a fruit vendor’s cart, burning tendu leaves kept in a Muslim woman’s house and damaging the electricity meter. Police also released tear gas shells.

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The situation remained calm on Friday and Saturday. About 500 policemen were deployed in the area. The police were in anti-riot gear and aerial surveillance was being done with drones. Apart from Jabalpur, security has also been increased in sensitive districts like Katni and Seoni.

Markets reopened on Saturday and normalcy returned to the town. Police say that the situation is completely under control and peace is maintained.