Lohardiha violence, Congress calls for statewide shutdown, impact appears minimal, Kabirdham Collector, SP removed
Chhattisgarh Congress party has called for a statewide shutdown today in protest against a recent murder and arson incident in Kawardha. The party accuses the state Home Minister of failing to maintain order in his district, raising concerns about governance across the state.
The protest follows the death of a detainee related to the Lohardiha violence, which spurred Congress members to demand justice during the deceased’s last rites. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel claimed that law and order in the state has completely collapsed. The shutdown is set to last from 9 AM to 3 PM, focusing on demanding justice for the victims of the Kawardha incident.
In Durg district, however, the impact of the shutdown appears minimal, as the Chamber of Commerce decided not to support the Congress call. Major markets, including Indira Market and Power House Market, remain open, with all shops in the township operating as usual.
On September 14, the body of a man named Shivprasad Sahu was found hanging from a tree in a forest about 10 kilometers from the village, leading to outrage among locals. They accused former village head Raghunath Sahu of murder, resulting in mob violence that included assaults on his family and the burning of his home.
The arson incident led to an explosion in Raghunath Sahu's house, resulting in his death. In response to the escalating situation, police were deployed, arresting 69 individuals and filing cases against 160. Tragically, Prashant Sahu, one of the detainees, died in custody four days later, raising suspicions about police misconduct.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has ordered a magistrate's inquiry into the events surrounding Shivprasad Sahu's death and subsequent violence. He has instructed that strict action be taken against those responsible, indicating zero tolerance for negligence in future incidents. Following these directives, the Collector and SP of Kabirdham have been removed from their positions, and IPS officer Vikas Kumar has already been suspended. Additionally, 23 police personnel involved in incidents of violence against villagers have also been reassigned.
This series of events has seen three deaths in Kawardha within a week, prompting serious concerns about safety and law enforcement in the region.