Bhilwara: A tense situation has gripped Bhilwara district in Rajasthan after a procession in the town of Jahazpur was disrupted by stone pelting, forcing the event to come to a sudden halt. The incident took place during the Jaljhulani Ekadashi celebrations, a religious procession through the towns market. Sloganeering and violence erupted as stones were thrown, creating chaos and stopping the procession in its tracks.Rising tensions in Bhilwara districtThe incident unfolded when a group allegedly started pelting stones at the procession, leading to an atmosphere of panic among the devotees. This kind of unrest has become disturbingly frequent, with processions facing similar disruptions despite heavy police presence and security arrangements.While the exact reasons for these disturbances vary, observers have noted a concerning trend of premeditated violence during such events. It appears as though certain elements in the crowd may be deliberately orchestrating the chaos, as events often unfold rapidly and violently.Police lost control of the situationAlthough the police are present in large numbers during such processions, their ability to control the situation has come into question. In Jahazpur, for instance, the situation deteriorated swiftly, with slogans being raised, sticks being wielded, and both sides accusing each other of inciting the violence. One side has specifically claimed that stones were thrown, causing injuries and widespread panic.Stone pelting incident leads to market shutdown, video surfacesThe situation became particularly heated as the procession passed by a mosque, where a dispute between two groups escalated into stone pelting. The resulting stampede led to a closure of the local market, with residents demanding swift action against those responsible for disrupting the peace. Police officials, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Ajit Singh and Station In-Charge Narpat Ram Bana, quickly deployed forces from multiple stations to the scene.भीलवाड़ा में फिर बेबस दिखा तंत्र और व्यवस्थापिछले कुछ समय से तमाम पुलिस जाब्ते और सिस्टम के बावजूद शोभायात्राएं शांति पूर्वक नहीं निकल पा रही है.यदि गौर से देखेंगे तो इस तरह शोभा यात्रा में माहौल बिगाड़ने के पीछे एक कॉमन सा पेटर्न दिख रहा है. सब कुछ इतना जल्दी होता है मानो… pic.twitter.com/L9wNIcKFpz— Avdhesh Pareek (@Zinda_Avdhesh) September 14, 2024Ajmer Range DIG Om Prakash confirmed that the Superintendent of Police from Shahpura, along with additional police forces, had reached the site to control the situation. While a few individuals, including a woman, were injured in the melee, officials have assured the public that the situation, though tense, is currently under control.Religious procession targeted by stone peltingThe stone pelting occurred during a procession dedicated to Pitambar Rai Maharaj on Devjhulani Ekadashi, an event of significant religious importance in the sensitive town of Jahazpur. The attack took place near a religious site, sparking chaos and causing an eruption of slogans by those participating in the procession.Demands for arrest raised by BJP MLAAs tensions flared, local BJP MLA Gopichand Meena arrived at the scene and staged a sit-in protest outside the religious site where the stone pelting occurred. Meena demanded the immediate identification and arrest of the accused. “Until the individuals responsible for the stone pelting are arrested, I will continue this dharna,” Meena declared. He also emphasized that the religious procession of Bhagwans Jal Vihar would not resume in the town until justice was served.Situation under control but tensions simmerDespite the heightened tensions and calls for justice, police officials have assured the public that the situation in Jahazpur is under control, with a large deployment of security personnel keeping watch. However, the underlying tensions in the region remain, and many are calling for stronger action to prevent such incidents from reoccurring.
