Dhar under police control, says DGP

Members of various social organisations met director general of police (DGP), Surendra Sinh, on Friday in Bhopal and expressed concern over the growing communal tension in the region for the last one month over the Bhojshala issue.

Members of various social organisations met director general of police (DGP), Surendra Sinh, on Friday in Bhopal and expressed concern over the growing communal tension in the region for the last one month over the Bhojshala issue. The organisation also submitted a memorandum to the top cop.

The communal incidents in and around Dhar have created tension among the two communities. (File photo)

Rashtriya Secular Manch conveyor LS Hardeniya and Gandhi Bhawan Nayas secretary Dayaram Namdev, who were present at the meeting, said the DGP had assured them that the situation in Dhar was under police control and the department was prepared to deal with all exigencies.

According to local police sources, saffron outfits in the region were gearing up for ‘Dharmshabha’ and mobilising Hindus. “Sadhvi Ritmambhara will address the January 24 Dharmashabha, which will decide the course of Hindu movement on the Bhojshala issue. Police are keeping a close eye on this religious meet,” said a senior police officer.

Meanwhile, the monument was inspected by the Dhar district collector, superintendent of police (SP) and other senior officers on Friday to chalk out the security arrangements for Basant Panchami when members of both the communities will offer their prayers at the site.

In 2013, the administration had strategically stopped the prayers at the site on Basant Panchami to allow Muslims to offer namaz. The police had also caned restive devotees and a few saffron leaders for shouting slogans against chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.