Old dispute turns violent in Solapur village, soldier attacked, homes vandalised

A violent clash broke out between two groups in Shetphal village in Mohol taluka of Solapur district over an old rivalry, a religious ritual and goats entering a field. An Indian Army soldier and several others from both sides were seriously injured in the clash. All the injured are being treated at a government hospital in Solapur. Tension spread in the village after the incident and a heavy police deployment had to be posted.

According to the complaint, the first incident took place around 7:30 pm on September 23 in front of the Rajmata milk collection centre. Following an argument over goats grazing, army soldier Sumit Uttareshwar Khadke and his cousin Ram Vasant Khadke had gone to the milk collection centre. It is alleged that some people surrounded and beat both of them there. The complaint states that Sumit Khadke was struck on the head with a sattur (a cleaver-like weapon), while Ram Khadke was also beaten. The complaint also records that people who came to intervene were attacked with an air pump.

It is further alleged that during the assault, 11,000 rupees were forcibly snatched from Ram Khadke's pocket, and a three-tola gold chain was snatched from Suraj Khadke's neck. The complaint also states that the complainants were threatened with a false case under the Atrocities Act if they filed a complaint. Based on Ram Khadke's complaint, a case has been registered against 10 people at Mohol police station.

It is being said that the root of this clash lies in an old dispute in August, on a Shravan Monday, over offering a garland on the padukas at the Siddheshwar temple. Because of this same rivalry, the matter flared up again around 9:30 am on September 24. It is alleged that a crowd of more than 100 people gathered in the Bhimnagar area. Despite police deployment being in place, the mob entered the house of Arvind Siddheshwar Thorat and beat people with iron pipes and sticks, according to the complaint.

It is alleged that Arvind Thorat was struck on the head with an iron pipe in an attempt to kill him. Vandalism and assault at other nearby houses have also come to light. CCTV cameras are also alleged to have been broken. In this case, a case has been registered against 36 named and more than 100 unidentified people under charges of attempted murder, rioting and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

After the incident, administration and police officials visited Shetphal to take stock of the situation. Sub-divisional officer Sachin Ithape, Additional Superintendent of Police Vijay Kabade, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Suraj Jagtap, Assistant Commissioner Sulochana Sonawane and Police Inspector Deepak Patil reached the spot. A strict police deployment has been maintained in the village to prevent any further untoward incident. There is currently a tense calm in the village, and police have appealed to people not to trust rumours and to maintain peace. The Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Suraj Jagtap, is investigating the matter further.