jitender_singh
April 21st, 2005, 02:51 PM
Jhajjar, April 20
In Naya Gaon, the village that witnessed riots after panchayat poll on April 3, life has come to a standstill. Though outwardly everything seems to be normal, undercurrent of acute tension propelled by mutual distrust among members of the warring caste groups, has forced virtual closure of the village school as not many parents dare send their children there under the prevailing circumstances.
During the day, villagers can be seen running about to complete the harvesting operations. However, the unusual hurry with which they are going about their business betrays their sense of insecurity.
They are keen to complete the already delayed job at the earliest because the situation does not permit them to work after sunset. Nobody ventures out in the dark.
A riot had broken out in the village after polling on April 3 during which dozens of houses were ransacked and property worth several lakhs was destroyed or heavily damaged. The Jats have since then held several panchayats in nearby villages trying to find a solution, but instead of solving the dispute, these exercises have only created more bitterness among the villagers. A magisterial probe ordered by the district administration is underway. A meeting between representatives of two groups convened by the SDM will be held tomorrow at Bahadurgarh. But a solution is unlikely to emerge considering the demands being made by the rival groups.
Mr Roop Chand Saini, who was declared elected as Sarpanch, alleges that half a dozen Jat youths in the village had spoiled the atmosphere. They are criminals and their parents have no control over them. On the other hand, the Jats say the Sainis rigged the poll and attacked their houses after the polling. They are now demanding a repoll and would not settle for anything less than that. However, that is not legally possible since the Sarpanch has already been declared legally elected.
“In that case the Sarpanch should be asked to resign to ensure harmony in the village”, Mr Omendra Singh, a leader of the Jat community told The Tribune today. He also demanded disciplinary action against the SDM and the DSP alleging that they had backed the Sainis and were now shielding them.
While, the two groups continue to blame each other, it is apparent that the April 3 clashes were the result of another similar clash which took place about eight months ago.
In Naya Gaon, the village that witnessed riots after panchayat poll on April 3, life has come to a standstill. Though outwardly everything seems to be normal, undercurrent of acute tension propelled by mutual distrust among members of the warring caste groups, has forced virtual closure of the village school as not many parents dare send their children there under the prevailing circumstances.
During the day, villagers can be seen running about to complete the harvesting operations. However, the unusual hurry with which they are going about their business betrays their sense of insecurity.
They are keen to complete the already delayed job at the earliest because the situation does not permit them to work after sunset. Nobody ventures out in the dark.
A riot had broken out in the village after polling on April 3 during which dozens of houses were ransacked and property worth several lakhs was destroyed or heavily damaged. The Jats have since then held several panchayats in nearby villages trying to find a solution, but instead of solving the dispute, these exercises have only created more bitterness among the villagers. A magisterial probe ordered by the district administration is underway. A meeting between representatives of two groups convened by the SDM will be held tomorrow at Bahadurgarh. But a solution is unlikely to emerge considering the demands being made by the rival groups.
Mr Roop Chand Saini, who was declared elected as Sarpanch, alleges that half a dozen Jat youths in the village had spoiled the atmosphere. They are criminals and their parents have no control over them. On the other hand, the Jats say the Sainis rigged the poll and attacked their houses after the polling. They are now demanding a repoll and would not settle for anything less than that. However, that is not legally possible since the Sarpanch has already been declared legally elected.
“In that case the Sarpanch should be asked to resign to ensure harmony in the village”, Mr Omendra Singh, a leader of the Jat community told The Tribune today. He also demanded disciplinary action against the SDM and the DSP alleging that they had backed the Sainis and were now shielding them.
While, the two groups continue to blame each other, it is apparent that the April 3 clashes were the result of another similar clash which took place about eight months ago.