The government acted against the policemen because they allegedly used excessive force while trying to prevent a communal situation from taking an explosive turn. The RSS alleged that the policemen acted in a highly reckless manner while dealing with RSS workers. An RSS worker, Suresh Yadav was allegedly beaten up by Baihar police (Balaghat district) personnel. The RSS claimed that Yadav was beaten in the presence of a senior officer. They also alleged that behind the incident of Yadav beating was D.C. Sagar and IG Police whom they accused of having link with the BSP. The RSS alleged that the injuries sustained by Yadav could have been fatal but for the timely medical help.

On the basis of this charge, FIR has been filed against ten police men and home guards and shifting of two IPS officers, accused of beating Yadav. But the police claim that arrest of Yadav was necessary to control the situation which could have taken grave turn.

Another highly disturbing communal situation developed in Petlawad and Jhabua. Here also RSS workers were blamed and force was used against them following the incident. The BJP sent two party MPs to find out the truth. After enquiry, the MPs recommended drastic action against the officers who used excessive force while controlling the RSS workers who were out to create a communally tense situation. The RSS workers were charged with setting a shop of a Muslim on fire.

Arbitration actions against the police personnel have evoked angry reaction and some of them have questioned the rationale of the government act publicly. Sub divisional officer (police) Rakesh Vyas has vented his frustration on social media following his transfer on Tuesday from Petlawad (Jhabua) for taking action against rioters. On Wednesday he asked aloud why only policemen were targeted after any such incident, be it rape, murder, riot and no action was taken against politicians. “Are police responsible for crime? Why not make our country police free and suspend all the police personnel,” he asked sarcastically. In an earlier post he said that he would walk the straight path without bothering about consequences.

Policemen in Madhya Pradesh are angry over the removal of Vyas and Babbar, both DSP level officers and one inspector following pressure from RSS-BJP combine over their role in handling communal flare ups in Gandhwani in Dhar district and Petlawad in Jhabua district on October 12.

While the cops are angry, the victims of the two incidents, mainly Muslims, are also aghast over the transfer of the policemen and they fear whether they will ever get justice now.

Vyas and Babbar who was SDOP of Manawar (Dhar) were attached to the IG office in Indore, and so was Petlawad town inspector Karni Singh Saktawad.

The action against the police officials at Jhabua and Dhar is reminiscent of the Balaghat episode that took place last month where the government transferred an IGP and the SP and suspended an additional SP, a town inspector and eight other policemen for allegedly thrashing RSS worker Suresh Yadav.

These officers have the tacit support of their seniors who are peeved over the developments. Several senior officers who did not want to be named said it would be very difficult to maintain law and order if action taken for a criminal act resulted in transfers just because they belonged to the RSS or the ruling party.

“We are and should be guided by the CrPC and IPC and anyone who commits a criminal act is a criminal and he should be treated as such. How could the government favour any group or persons who repeatedly disturb communal harmony in the area?” a senior police official said.
Mohammed Jama, whose shop near new bus stand in Petlawad was set on fire during the communal clash was shocked by the transfer of the cops.

Jama, who sold cutlery items from his shop said, “I’m very unhappy over action against police personnel who were reached the spot promptly and had taken timely action against those who set my shop afire. Now who will investigate my case impartially?” he asked.

The Balaghat incident has also led to a serious confrontation between the RSS leadership and the state government. The RSS leaders feel the officer — who was responsible for the alleged attack on the RSS worker — was not Baihar police station in-charge Zia ul Haq but DC Sagar the Inspector General (IG) of police of Balaghat.

Meanwhile RSS has renewed its pressure on the government asking for the arrest of the police personnel responsible for Balaghat episode. RSS held a Press conference on October 20 to allege that police brutality against one of their man, Suresh Yadav, in Balaghat district was a 'pre-planned conspiracy'.

Rajkumar Matale, the RSS regional communication chief, and Ashok Pandey, the deputy chief of the organisation's state unit, demanded immediate arrest of policemen accused of thrashing Yadav in custody on September 26.

Yadav was detained for an allegedly offensive social media post against parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi on September 25.

However the 'severely injured' RSS pracharak's medical report showed minor injuries and he was seen in three video clips walking around in a hospital. This shows that the injuries were not that serious as the RSS leaders are claiming. But the RSS leaders said some people and political forces were distorting facts. (IPA Service)