TRADERS BELONGING to the Sindhi community downed their shutters and staged a chakka jam at Sindhi Colony square to protest yesterday’s assault on former BJP corporator Sevaram Galani. The former corporator was attacked, allegedly by Gujarati speaking people residing nearby, when he objected to the construction of a jogging track in front of a Lord Jhulelal temple at Vrindavan Garden, Patel Nagar, as part of the ongoing garden beautification programme.
Juni Indore police had registered a case against both Galani and his assailants after the incident. Around 150 members of the Sindhi community took to the streets today morning demanding the immediate arrest of Galani’s assailants and withdrawal of the case against him.
The protestors then marched to Patel Nagar where they staged a chakka jam. Sensing the gravity of the situation SDM Chandramauli Shukla rushed to the spot accompanied by a large police contingent headed by CSP Padmavilochan Shukla.
Although the SDM tried to pacify the enraged protestors they remained adamant and only vacated the spot after being assured that any construction near the temple would be carried out only after obtaining their consent.
Sindhi community members also submitted a memorandum in support of their demands to Shukla. Earlier, shops in Sindhu Colony, Sadhu Vaswani Nagar, Bhanwarkuan Road and Bairathi Colony remained closed almost till noon in protest against the attack.
Large numbers of policemen were deployed in an around Sindhi Colony since early morning by the district administration as a precautionary measure.
{{/usCountry}}Large numbers of policemen were deployed in an around Sindhi Colony since early morning by the district administration as a precautionary measure.
{{/usCountry}}SDM Chandramauli Shukla: The dispute basically centres around a tin shed adjoining the temple that has been constructed by Galani. The track was being laid out in front of the shed and Galani wanted it to be set further back. Also, nearby residents, most of whom are Gujaratis, have complained that the shed is used by anti-social elements after dark.
A meeting between members of the Sindhi and Gujarati community members and IMC officials has been convened in the evening and we expect the dispute to be satisfactorily resolved.