Fresh violence gripped Tarana in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain district on Friday, as clashes between rival groups led to buses being set on fire and stones raining down on streets. The unrest, simmering since a road rage incident the previous night, exploded post-Jumuah prayers, with shops ransacked and panic spreading rapidly.
It all started on January 22 when a trivial spat over bus passage escalated into inter-community animosity. Stones flew, properties were wrecked, and fires were lit. Friday brought a brutal turn: two buses went up in flames amid stone-throwing frenzy by unknown agitators.
Alerted immediately, law enforcement contained the mayhem efficiently. Ujjain SP Pradeep Sharma revealed FIRs for murder attempts against six suspects. ‘We are cracking down hard; stay peaceful,’ he implored residents.
At the heart is the vicious attack on Sohail Thakur, ambushed and left critically injured on his head. Treated in Ujjain, he’s out of danger. His statement implicated Sappan Mirza, Ishaan Mirza, Shadab aka Idli, Salman Mirza, Rizwan Mirza, and Naveed—five now in custody, others questioned.
Tarana has a history of such flare-ups; an earlier assault on a Hindu activist led to bus stand vandalism and heavy policing. Friday saw businesses closed, patrols intensified, and protesters encircling the police station. Demanding justice like home bulldozing and victory marches, they recited sacred verses defiantly.
Police vow comprehensive arrests via CCTV analysis. Unconfirmed videos of burning buses flood social platforms, heightening anxiety. With festivals overlapping, reinforcements including STF and hundreds of officers stand guard. Both sides are urged to prioritize peace.