Ratlam: Temporary police outpost to setup in village, says administration

Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh): The district administration has said that a temporary police outpost will be set up in Surana village a day after the Hindu families have put up their ‘houses for sale’ in the village.

Superintendent of Police, Gaurav Tiwari, district collector, Kumar Purushottam and other officials reached the village and held a meeting with villagers of both communities.

Gaurav Tiwari said that around 10 police personnel including sub inspector would be deployed in the outpost to provide the security to the villagers round the clock.

Collector Purushottam said that encroachment over the government lands would be removed within a month and the miscreants identified in the village would be externed.

The villagers of the Hindu community have written either on the walls or gate of the house that ‘Ye Ghar Bikau Hai’.

Accusing Muslim community of the village, they threatened for mass exodus. The representatives of the Hindu families on Tuesday met the district collector and handed over a memorandum demanding safety and security.

According to reports, total population of the village, which is located around 15 km from district headquarters, is 2200. Out of it, 60% population belongs to Muslim community.

“There are at least 85 houses of Hindu community in the village. They (Muslim community) have been harassing us. They molest our women and girls, when we object they beat us up,” Om Prakash Jat, a resident of the village, said.

Another villager Bharat Lal Jat said that whenever Hindu families lodged complaints, police registered cross cases. “They beat up our children and youths, they harass us, but when we lodge complaint, police make cross cases. We have been pissed off with situation, therefore we want to migrate from there,” Jat added.

As the photographs of these ‘victim’ families’ houses went viral on social media, district collector and superintendent of police (SP) rushed to the village and are holding a meeting with villagers.

“There was a dispute between two youths over some issue. We have been talking to them and will settle the issue,” Gauraav Tiwari said.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Narottam Mishra said, “We have taken cognizance and instructed SP and Collector to provide proper security to victim families.”