MARGAO
Communal tension rent the air in the communally sensitive Rumdamol Housing Board on Sunday noon after members of two groups clashed over a flag erected to celebrate Eid last week.
While the Samarth Gad Temple committee president Jayesh Naik and his son Om sustained injuries in the clash, a woman from the opposite group received injuries on her fingers. Maina Curtorim police said the injuries were minor in nature. The police have received complaints and counter complaints from both the groups.
The incident is believed to have occurred when Jayesh and his son Om were clearing the bushes and wild plants near the temple at around 11.30 am. Police Inspector, Kapil Nayak, who is holding additional charge of Maina Curtorim Police station, informed that the incident occurred when Jayesh allegedly tried to remove the flag, evoking strong opposition from the rival Muslim group, before the two groups clashed.
Jayesh claimed that the flag was erected in the property to provoke the people. He has demanded to know why the flag was not removed even when Eid was celebrated last week. Jayesh said he was hit with a pipe on his head and his son punched by the mob resulting in injuries.
PI Kapil Nayak, however, said the Panchayat had issued permission to hoist the flag in the property till October 25.
On the other hand, a resident Umran Pathan claimed that Jayesh allegedly came with a koita to remove the flag pole when the flags were erected on the occasion of Eid with the permission of authorities.
He pointed out that a woman sustained injuries on her finger during the scuffle with Jayesh, who he alleged was armed with a Koita. “We have evidence to show that Jayesh was trying to cut the pole with a koita when the flag was erected with permission”, Pathan said, while demanding strict action against Jayesh for trying to disturb communal peace and harmony in the area.
Jayesh countered by saying that the rival group had formed a mob by spreading rumours that he had come with a koita to attack them, saying “I would have come with our people if there was any intention to remove the flags”.
When pointed out that the property where the flag was erected does not belong to the Temple, Jayesh shot back saying the no one has the right to erect the flag in that property.
A resident Bobby praised the Maina Curtorim police led by PI Kapil Nayak for taking quick action to bring the situation under control. “The Maina Curtorim police and the Rumdamol police outpost moved quickly to bring the situation under control”, he said.
