Chhattisgarh: VHP calls statewide bandh over communal clashes in Bemetara

A fight between schoolchildren erupted into a communal fight leaving one person dead and three policemen injured in Chhattisgarh's Bemetara district in Chhattisgarh. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for a statewide bandh in Chhattisgarh on Monday after a communal clash in Biranpur village. All roads leading to the village have been barricaded by the police. Senior security personnel and district administration officials have been camping in the village since Saturday when the violence erupted. The situation remained tense on Sunday and a huge posse of police personnel was deployed to avoid any flare-up. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has appealed to people to maintain peace. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the kin of the deceased blamed the police for the incident. The violence in Biranpur, having a population of around 1,300 and located 60 km from Bemetara, erupted on Saturday after a fight between some schoolchildren. A village resident, Bhuvneshwar Sahu (23), was killed while three policemen suffered injuries in the violence that prompted the local administration to impose section 144 of the CrPC, which bars assembly of four or more people, in the area. Around 800 police personnel have been deployed in the village to maintain law and order. Senior officials, including the Inspector General of Police (Durg range) and four Superintendents of Police have been camping in the village to monitor the situation.