A minor parking dispute in Ashta town of Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh, escalated into a violent confrontation between two communities on Sunday night. The incident saw vehicles belonging to the Karni Sena vandalized, prompting enraged members of the organization to block the crucial Bhopal-Indore National Highway, while police were forced to deploy tear gas and resort to lathi-charge to bring the volatile situation under control.
The incident unfolded around 9 PM on Sunday at Alipur Chauraha in Ashta. According to reports, a heated argument erupted between two communities over the parking of a vehicle belonging to a Karni Sena member. What began as a verbal spat quickly spiraled into a violent clash, while during the altercation, Karni Sena vehicles were subjected to stone-pelting and extensive vandalism. This sudden outbreak of violence created a tense atmosphere in. The area, drawing a large crowd and further exacerbating the situation.
Highway Blockade and Public Disruption
Following the vandalism of their vehicles, Karni Sena activists became highly agitated. In protest against the attack on their property, they immediately blocked the Bhopal-Indore National Highway. This abrupt blockade led to long queues of vehicles stretching for miles, causing significant inconvenience to commuters and local residents. Traffic on the highway came to a complete standstill, leaving many stranded for hours, while karni Sena members staged demonstrations, demanding action against those responsible for the violence.
Police Intervention to Restore Order
Upon receiving information about the incident, police teams from Ashta and Parvati police stations promptly arrived at the scene. Recognizing the deteriorating situation, the police took swift action to disperse the crowd and maintain law and order. Initially, the police attempted to pacify the protestors through persuasion, but when. The crowd remained unruly, they were compelled to fire tear gas shells. Concurrently, the police used mild force, including a lathi-charge, to disperse the agitated mob. Given the gravity of the situation, additional police forces from all police stations in Sehore district were called to Ashta to prevent any further untoward incidents and restore peace.
Vandalism and Heightened Tensions
Amidst the violent clashes and vehicle vandalism, some unruly elements also targeted a bank ATM. The enraged crowd reportedly used a tractor to ram into and vandalize the ATM, causing significant damage to bank property. This act of destruction highlighted the extent to which the dispute had escalated and the prevailing chaos. The vandalism further heightened tensions in the area, creating an atmosphere of fear among local residents. Police have initiated an investigation into this incident as well.
Current Status and Return to Normalcy
Following persistent efforts and persuasion by the police, the blockade on the Bhopal-Indore Highway was lifted, and traffic flow resumed. Currently, the situation in Ashta is under control, and a. Heavy police presence has been deployed to prevent any further disturbances. The police administration is continuously monitoring the situation and engaging in discussions with local leaders and prominent community members to maintain peace. Legal action is being taken against those identified as involved in the incident to ensure such occurrences aren't repeated in the future.
