SIX KILLED, MANY INJURED IN DHULE RIOTS

The communal riots that erupted in Dhule on October 5 have claimed six lives and left hundreds others injured. Dhule is located at a distance of 50 km from Malegaon. The city has a population of around five lakh, with 75% Hindus and 25% Muslims.

Written by

Published on

June 23, 2022

The communal riots that erupted in Dhule on October 5 have claimed six lives and left hundreds others injured. Dhule is located at a distance of 50 km from Malegaon. The city has a population of around five lakh, with 75% Hindus and 25% Muslims. The riot started two groups clashed after news of posters being torn spread across the town. The police resorted to lathi-charge, threw teargas shells and even opened fire. A state transport bus was set on fire by the rioters.

Residents said that 10-15 houses were set ablaze near the Juna Devpur Eintbhatti area and the wall of Agna mosque was demolished by the rioters. Many other mosques have been totally destroyed or attacked. Balapur mosque and another mosque in the station area road were totally destroyed; yet another mosque in Old Dhule was attacked. Mukti Nagar and Kusumbir areas were also affected. Curfew was imposed in some sensitive parts of Dhule. The police remained mute spectators as rioters pelted stones and put property on fire.

The riots spread in the adjoining areas as well. Muslims, men and women, were killed and burned at Vani, Ner, and Kusamba – surrounding areas of Dhule. Many Muslim shops, garages, hotels (dhabas) were burned between Laling and Dhule. In the market area of the city many malls, shops were burned, allegedly in the presence of police. In the Deopur area the mob of rioters entered through a new bridge. This mob did a lot of destruction in the area. They burnt several houses. Three Muslim women were raped behind Sheetal Hotel near Faagne, and they were admitted to Sarwajanik Hospital.

The riots began near Raj Kamal cinema hall where Eid-related posters had been put up by a Muslim corporator. The Hindu Rakhshak Sabha had also put up its posters nearby. Posters put up by both the groups were torn down by Hindus and Muslims respectively, leading to a mob gathering near the site. Residents alleged that the Hindu Sabha’s posters were “provocative” and had instigated the Muslim youths.