Chomu, a town near Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, witnessed a sudden escalation of tension early on Friday morning. A dispute concerning the removal of stones from outside a mosque near the bus stand and the subsequent installation of railings turned violent, leading to a mob pelting stones at police personnel. This intense confrontation resulted in injuries to approximately half a dozen police officers, compelling the authorities to deploy tear gas to bring the situation under control.
Initiative for Traffic Improvement
The entire incident is rooted in efforts to improve traffic management within Chomu's bus stand area. For nearly 45 years, stones had been lying on the roadside near the mosque, frequently causing traffic congestion and inconvenience to the general public. This long-standing issue hampered smooth vehicular movement and created significant bottlenecks. The administration had been actively seeking a solution to this problem to ensure unhindered traffic flow in the region.
Opposition Ignites Over Railing Installation
To address this persistent traffic issue, a crucial meeting was held just one day prior to the incident between the Chomu police station officials and representatives from the Muslim community. During this meeting, discussions were conducted in an amicable atmosphere, leading to a mutual agreement to remove the stones from the roadside. This decision was made with the objective of alleviating traffic jams for the public and widening the road. The task of removing the stones was carried out peacefully, with the presence of community representatives, which the administration initially considered a significant success.
Following the successful removal of the stones, work commenced on installing railings in the newly cleared space. However, in the early hours of Friday, around 3 AM, certain anti-social elements began to protest against this installation work, while the opposition gradually intensified, and within a short period, a large crowd gathered in the bus stand area. The mob suddenly began pelting stones at the police force, causing the situation to become extremely volatile and dangerous.
Attack on Police and Retaliatory Action
During the stone-pelting incident, approximately 6 police personnel sustained injuries, requiring immediate medical attention. The barrage of stones caused harm to the officers, further exacerbating the volatile situation. Recognizing that the situation was spiraling out of control, the police promptly took charge, deploying tear gas shells to disperse the agitated crowd. Additional police reinforcements were immediately called to the scene to restore law and order and prevent any further escalation of violence.
Area Under Siege and Warning Against Rumors
In the aftermath of the incident, the entire bus stand area has been transformed into a fortified zone. A substantial contingent of police forces has been deployed, and senior officials are continuously monitoring the situation. The additional police presence has cordoned off the entire area, and strict vigilance is being maintained against any suspicious activities. Chomu SHO Pradeep Sharma clarified that only the stones lying on the road. Were removed with mutual consent and urged the public not to spread any rumors. He issued a stern warning that strict legal action would be. Taken against anyone found spreading misinformation through social media or other channels.
Investigation and Action Against Culprits
The police administration is now conducting a thorough investigation into the entire matter. CCTV footage and other video evidence are being scrutinized to identify those involved in the stone-pelting. Police officials stated that stringent legal action would be initiated against all individuals found guilty of disturbing peace and obstructing government work. Currently, the situation in the area is reported to be under control, but security measures have been further bolstered as a precautionary measure.
