Situation has already become explosive prompting the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan to issue a stern warning to the anti-social elements if they try to disrupt normal life in the state.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has given clear-cut directives that there should be no compromise with maintenance of law and order in the State. People trying to disturb communal harmony and peace should be strictly dealt with.

The Chief Minister was reviewing law and order situation in the state at Mantralaya here on January 18. Home Minister Babulal Gaur, Chief Secretary Anthony de Sa, DGP Surendra Singh and other senior officers attended the meeting.

The meeting was convened in view of communal violence erupting in Dewas, Barghat and other places in the Malwa and Nimar regions in the recent past.

The Chief Minister said that laxity in maintaining law and order will not be tolerated.

He asked the top officers to keep a close watch on those seeking to disturb communal harmony in the state and ensure strict action against them. Action should be impartial and as per the law. He said that meetings of peace committees should be held. The administration should maintain dialogue with all communities. Police should closely monitor sensitive areas and disruptive elements.

The Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh was an island of peace where fairs and festivals of all communities are celebrated with love and brotherhood. He said that police should win the trust of people and instill fear in the hearts of anti-social elements and criminals. No procession should be allowed without permission of the administration.

Referring to recent incidents in the state, he described them as unfortunate.

While Chief Minster gave clear-cut directive to be fair and impartial while dealing with communal elements state BJP Chief Nand Kumar Chauhan made a sweeping statement squarely blaming SIMI for causing communal tension. In a state issued at Bhopal he said the SIMI are fomenting communal trouble in the state but the upcoming Simhastha will be organised without any hiccup.

Chauhan claimed that the series of untoward incidents in Malwa and Nimar regions were the handiwork of SIMI and IS activists. These national and international terrorist organisations are trying to disturb harmony in the state but it will continue to remain an island of peace.

He claimed that the situation in Malwa and Nimar was under control.

While Nand Kumar Chauhan blamed SIMI Jamiat-Ulema-I-Hind accused the Bajarang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of trying to tarnish image of CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan who wants peace in Madhya Pradesh.

Jamiat-Ulema-I-Hind national vice-president Mufti Abdul Razzak Khan, while interacting with media, said, “Some elements with vested interests are trying to disturb communal harmony in Madhya Pradesh. Intentionally, they are targeting Muslims in the state. However, the CM wants peace in the state but the Bajarang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad are trying to defame the CM. It is our demand to crack down on such elements otherwise; communal harmony will remain disturbed in the state.”

Some element in Harda, a district headquarters tried to create a Dadri type incident when activists of Gau Raksha Samiti accused a Muslim couple of possessing beef. The couple was travelling in a train. The activist led by Surendra Singh Bajrangi attacked the couple and seized the meet claiming it to be beef. The seized meat was sent for examination why veterinary doctors, who found it to be buffalo meat.

Those who allegedly beat up the Muslim couple on Kushinagar Express on Wednesday accusing the couple of carrying beef were said to be the ' commandos' from Gau Raksha Samiti formed by Surendra Singh Rajpurohit, who is also known as Bajrangi, in 2007. Two of the attackers were arrested, while others are absconding. Bajrangi is a known communal leader who was also arrested in 2013 in a case of causing communal trouble. He escaped to Rajasthan from where he was recently brought to Harda.

He is now on bail and again indulging in communal activities. Rajpurohit alleges that every Friday and Saturday cow meat from Khandwa's Imlipura area is being supplied to various parts of Harda and neighbouring districts. 'Gau Raksha commandos took law into their own hands, as police under pressure generally declare cow meat as buffalo meat, as they did in this case too to prevent communal tension,' he said.

He said they had non-Hindu informers in Khandwa district whom they pay money for informing them about cow slaughter and supply of cow meat, 'We had authentic information that it was cow meat (recovered from the train). But the police are trying to hush-up the matter so that communal tension doesn't flare up. Can they answer why the owner of the meat which is being shown as buffalo meat, is absconding? If it was buffalo meat, there was no need for the owner to escape. Secondly, how could authorities say that it was buffalo meat and not that of any other animal? Did they send the meat for analysis to any well-known lab,' questioned Rajpurohit.

Bajrangi is reported to have threatened the Harda S.P. when he ordered action against him.

Meanwhile steps have been initiated to defuse the developing situation in Dhar. With less than a month left for Basant Panchami, the Dhar administration began efforts to ensure that there is no untoward incident at the disputed Bhojshala, which is claimed both by the Hindus and the Muslims.

While the Hindus say Bhojshala is a temple for Goddess Saraswati, the Muslims claim that it is a mosque. Every Friday, Muslims offer prayers at this mosque while the Hindus are allowed to offer prayers throughout the day of Basant Panchami.

As Basant Panchami falls on February 12, a Friday, this time, the challenge before the administration is to physically vacate the Bhojshala premises of devotees and make way for the Muslims to offer Namaz.

On January 18 divisional commissioner Sanjay Dubey and additional director general of police Vipin Maheshwari spent around an hour at the Bhojshala and discussed arrangements being planned for Basant Panchami.

The two officers also met the local revenue and police officials to take stock of the situation.

Talks are going on with both the Hindus and the Muslims to bring about a permanent solution to this dispute, collector Sriman Shukla told reporters.

He said there would be no compromise when it came to maintaining law and order on that day.

Sources said there is a difference of opinion over the exact date of Basant Panchami. While the Hindu Jagaran Manch office bearers like Gopal Sharma claim that it is on February 12, some other calendars have declared February 13, as Basant Panchami day. The administration is keen to ensure that there is no clash between Hindus and Muslim devotees on Basant Panchami.

However, sources also say it is highly unlikely that the HJM will agree to the formula suggested by administration. (IPA Service)