Communal tension grips Khandwa after youth’s murder

Tension gripped Khandwa after a few people shouted communal slogans in Badabam area on Monday evening while returning from the funeral of a Muslim man who was found murdered near the railway station.

Tension gripped Khandwa after a few people shouted communal slogans in Badabam area on Monday evening while returning from the funeral of a Muslim man who was found murdered near the railway station.

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Tension led to shop owners in Badabam area shutting their establishments.

Earlier in the day, the body of 33-year-old Iqbal Ahmed, son of Salim Nasir, was found near an abandoned loco-shed, Moghat police said. His throat was slit with a sharp object. The body was handed to his family members after an autopsy.

Friends and relatives of Ahmed, a resident of Chidiya Maidan, initially launched a protest at Imlipura mosque to demand the immediate identification and arrest of the murderer. However, the police managed to pacify them.

Later, while mourners were returning from the graveyard that evening, a few among them raised communal slogans – triggering tensions at Badabam and the railway station. Fearing violence, all the major markets and eateries in the area decided to down shutters.

Superintendent of police MK Sikarwar appealed to the townsfolk to keep calm. “We have enough personnel to tackle the situation. The police will take stern action against anybody who disturbs the peace,” he said.