Violent Clash Between Communities in Gariaband’s Bakli Village, Homes Set on Fire; Heavy Police Deployed

Raipur, Feb 2:
A violent clash between two communities in Bakli village of Gariaband district, Chhattisgarh, escalated into communal tension on Sunday, prompting a massive police deployment to restore order. Several houses and vehicles were set ablaze during the confrontation, officials said.

According to police, the violence was triggered when some recently released criminal elements on bail allegedly attacked villagers with weapons. Enraged locals retaliated by setting fire to the attackers’ homes and three to four vehicles, leading to widespread panic in the village.

Police Intervention and Arrests
Police teams reached the scene promptly, securing the area and converting the village into a controlled zone to prevent further escalation. Fire tenders and ambulances were deployed to extinguish fires and assist the injured. During the incident, several police personnel sustained minor injuries while trying to control the violence.

Three accused have been arrested in connection with the clash. According to authorities, these individuals had earlier gained notoriety when videos of alleged looting and assault went viral on social media about four months ago. They were also previously arrested for vandalizing a Shiv temple in the district and had recently been released on bail.

Sequence of Events
Police said the attack began when the armed assailants targeted members of one community in the village. The villagers, in turn, retaliated, setting fire to homes and vehicles, igniting communal anger. Law enforcement officials noted that the attackers were also involved in prior incidents of extortion and theft in the area.

Current Situation
Authorities have deployed heavy police contingents in Bakli and surrounding villages to maintain law and order. While the situation is currently under control, tensions remain high, and officials are monitoring the area closely to prevent any further flare-ups.