Indefinite curfew was imposed in Barghat town today after violence erupted over the death of a local BJP leader in Nagpur after he was allegedly roughed up by two youths here on October 3.
BJP rural general secretary Kapurchand Thakre (45) of Seoni was severely beaten by the youths, leaving him seriously injured. He was referred to Nagpur for treatment where he succumbed last evening leading to tension in Barghat, 22 kms away from the district headquarters, District Collector Bharat Yadav said.
As the situation turned ugly this morning with supporters of Thakre indulging in stone-pelting and arson, district administration imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 in the town.
Yadav said an indefinite curfew has been imposed in the town to control the mob that indulged in violence, pelting stones at vehicles including his official car, which was damaged in the incident.
The problem began as the news of Thakre’s death broke in the town enraging his supporters who forced a market shutdown here.
They also ransacked the residence of the two youths belonging to a community. Later, they set afire number of two-wheelers parked on the road.
Yesterday, both the youths accused of assaulting Thakre were arrested.
The duo had beaten Thakre when his car hit a motorcyclist. When the latter asked him to stop, he sped away following which two other youths chased him and pulled him out, Barghat Police Station in-charge Ganpat Singh Uikey said.
Subsequently, the two beat him severely following which he was initially taken to Barghat Community Health Centre which later referred him to Nagpur as his condition worsened.
Seoni District Superintendent of Police (SP) R P Singh said that additional forces have been called from Chhindwara, Balaghat and Jabalpur for deployment in Barghat and efforts are on to restore normalcy in the town.
Yadav has appealed to people to stay calm and remain at home.