MP police registers Ram Navami riot case against three already in jail

Bhopal: Police in Madhya Pradesh's Barwani district have filed a case against three men for setting a motorbike on fire on April 10 during the clashes on Ram Navami. However, the accused have been in jail since March. Both cases are being handled by the same police station.

Khargone and Barwani districts in Madhya Pradesh recently saw riots amid the procession of Ram Navami celebrations. The communal clash broke out near TalabChowk mosque over provocative songs being played, reported The Indian Express.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Home Minister Narottam Mishra had said that strict actions will be taken against all those who were involved in the incident and rioters have been identified. "Those who pelted stones will be punished and made to pay for the losses to both public and private properties. They are meant to be in jail," said the CM.

Three of the alleged rioters in Barwani - Shahbaz, Fakru, and Rauf—have been in jail for the past one and half months for attempted murder. One of the men's houses was recently demolished by the district administration, citing illegal construction.

Senior police officer Manohar Singh told NDTV that the matter will be investigated with the help of the jail superintendent. He added that the case was registered based on allegations mentioned in a complaint.

Shahbaz's house was vandalised after the communal clashes, and the police threw them out of the house. His mother Sakina said he was arrested after a fight.

After the communal clashes during Rama Navami, the police and district administration ran the bulldozer over 16 houses and 29 shops belonging to those allegedly involved in the riot. The order for the demolition was given by the Chief Minister.