VHP leader attack sparks clashes in MP's Tarana
Tarana, a small town in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain district, was plunged into turmoil after a street quarrel in Sukhla Gali on Thursday evening escalated into a major flare-up following the assault on a young Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader.
Witnesses said the incident began with a verbal argument, after which Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Sohal Thakur Bundela was attacked and beaten with rods, leaving him injured.
As rumours spread, tensions escalated rapidly, and by nightfall, Tarana’s streets saw violent clashes. Stone-pelting was reported from several areas, and more than two dozen vehicles, including buses parked near the bus stand, were damaged.
The situation remained tense on Friday. After prayers, groups from both communities again confronted each other, leading to fresh clashes. Police were forced to call in reinforcements from nearly ten police stations across the district. By evening, at least 13 buses, 10 cars and several motorcycles had been vandalised. One bus was set on fire.
Shops were attacked, and local accounts say four to six houses were damaged.
Women from one community alleged that mobs armed with swords, rods, and lathis stormed their lanes, pelting stones at homes and even attempting to target their place of worship.
Videos circulating online showed armed men trying to break into a locked house. At the same time, police stood nearby, underscoring the intensity of the violence in a town that has no major history of communal clashes.
Authorities imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS), restricting gatherings across Tarana.
Five men were arrested in connection with the attack on Bundela, and 15–20 others were detained for their role in the violence.
Yet the arrests sparked fresh anger. Supporters of the injured leader gathered outside the police station, demanding that the accused be paraded publicly and their houses bulldozed.
According to the New Indian Express, IG (Law and Order) Anshuman Singh confirmed the arrests. At the same time, Ujjain SP Pradip Sharma said, “We’ve already detained 15–20 men found involved in the violence. CCTV footage and video clips are being scanned to identify more rioters who indulged in violence.”
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav declared that “none of those who indulged in violence will be spared.”
Shahar Qazi Safiullah and Congress MLA Mahesh Parmar reminded that the town has never seen such communal unrest before.
“Those guilty of Thursday’s attack must be punished,” they said, “but ordinary citizens should not be harassed in the name of that incident.”
