Mob vandalises, torches homes in Chhattisgarh village as police shield minority residents against them
The Hindu
A mob in Chhattisgarh's Dutkaiya village vandalized homes, prompting police to protect minority residents amid escalating violence.
A mob in Dutkaiya village of Gariaband district in Chhattisgarh on Sunday (February 1, 2026) vandalised and set on fire over half a dozen houses owned by a minority community, the police said. At least seven policemen suffered injuries while shielding over two dozen people, including women and children, against a mob of hundreds for several hours.
The communal clash was the fallout of a chain of events that began a few hours earlier when three men, one of them out on bail in a temple desecration case, allegedly assaulted locals, said the police.
Gariaband Superintendent of Police Vedvrat Sirmaur told journalists on Monday (February 2, 2026) that in 2024, Dutkaiya resident Arif Khan was placed in the Mana Juvenile Correctional Home after he and two others allegedly vandalised the Chaveshwar Shiva temple in the village. Another officer added that Mr. Khan, now 18, was granted bail the same year but never returned to the village until the early hours of Sunday (February 1, 2026), when he and two of his accomplices from Raipur allegedly assaulted four men, including at least one eyewitness of the desecration case.
A building damaged in the violence at Dutkaiya village of Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district. | Photo Credit: Shubhomoy Sikdar
While the police registered four cases against Mr. Khan and his accomplices and assured the villagers that he would be arrested, a small mob vandalised Mr. Khan’s house in the village. A police team was then sent to the village and they counselled the villagers against any further provocation.
However, peace was short-lived and soon, a larger mob of several hundreds from Dutkaiya and adjoining villages had gathered at the spot. Armed with sticks, bricks, stones, and kerosene bottles, they allegedly tried to enter the homes of the 10 Muslim families who had locked themselves in.
People who distribute food to poor and needy in Hyderabad are concerned of potential LPG cylinder shortages, risking meal preparations for the poor and needy they serve daily.
Vishu Mahajan assumes office as Thoothukudi Collector
Rangayana's 'Chinnara Mela' summer camp for children runs from April 14 to May 10, 2026, in Mysuru.
West Bengal is gearing up for assembly elections. Mamata Banerjee will face her toughest challenge, given the anti-incumbency factor of three terms. The BJP, in 2021, had cemented its position as the primary opposition, winning 77 seats to the Trinamool’s 215 seats. This time, unusually, but no longer surprisingly, the Election Commission has become a key character in the political narrative. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) ended up deleting more than 60 lakh voters. And in many constituencies, the number of voter deletions is greater than the margins of victory in previous elections. Another issue is the mass transfers in the state bureaucracy, which are unprecedented, and were challenged in court by the TMC. Mamata has used these developments to frame the polls as a fight between a besieged Bengal and Bengali ‘asmita’ on one side, and a BJP-led Centre on the other. The BJP has been playing the anti-migrant card to polarise voters, and has also sought to target the TMC on corruption and misgovernance. Whose narrative will gain the upper-hand? What is happening with the lakhs of voter deletions? How will the SIR impact the outcome?
India quietly commissions the INS Aridhaman, its third nuclear-powered submarine, enhancing its strategic defense capabilities.
Karnataka governor asks State to “re-examine” switch from marks to grades for third language in SSLC
Karnataka Governor urges re-evaluation of the state's move from marks to grades for SSLC third language, citing educational concerns.
Mumbai will soon host electric boats for a luxury commute to Alibaug, revolutionising travel with silent, eco-friendly rides.
Trial one-way traffic around KBR Park in Hyderabad on Sunday; no U-turns, follow diversions for smoother movement.
Israel under fire as Trump warns of destroying Iranian infrastructure; BJP, Congress release candidate lists for T.N. Assembly polls, and more in The Hindu’s top news of April 3, 2026.
YouTuber Salman Khan attempts self-harm live, alleging harassment by Bidar police officials over his journalistic work.
Conservationists urge documentation of freshwater fish species in Tamil Nadu's waterbodies, highlighting the importance of native species preservation.
Revival of Amaravathi sugar mill and drinking water shortages are critical issues in Madathukulam constituency, impacting farmers and residents.
Yadgir DC issues show cause notices to two LPG agencies for selling cylinders above government prices and violating distribution rules.