Chhattisgarh: In a community in a burial dispute leads to violence, setting churches on fire

Chhattisgarh: In Amabeda hamlet, located in the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh, about 150 km south of Raipur, emotions over a disputed burial became violent on Thursday, resulting in the burning of two churches, the excavation of a grave, and several injuries.

After the family of sarpanch Rajman Salam, who some people believe converted to Christianity, buried his father, Chamraran Salam, 70, on private property, tensions broke out in the Bade Tewda gram panchayat. On December 15, while receiving therapy, Chamraram passed away.

Villagers protested the burial, claiming it was done in secret and against tribal norms, according to authorities.

The Executive Magistrate ordered the remains to be exhumed on Thursday in response to the villagers’ complaint. Legal action will be taken, along with an investigation into the occurrence and a post-mortem of the unearthed corpse. During the altercation, properties were also damaged, according to Kanker police.

The conflict between the communities, which had been heated since Wednesday, became violent and included stone-throwing. Several villagers and around 20 police officers were hurt, including Ahish Banchhor, the assistant superintendent of police for Antagarh. In order to contain the situation, police used a lathi charge.

Many residents resisted permitting a burial place for the dead, so the district administration and police intervened and called a meeting between the two opposing factions on Thursday. Following the meeting, the corpse was unearthed and removed from Amabeda.

It is said that the sarpanch became a Christian, while his father, Chamraram, continued to practice Hinduism. According to reports, the villagers strongly objected when the sarpanch carried out the last ceremony in line with Christian beliefs and practices, according to Anjor Singh Paikra, additional collector, Antagarh, in Kanker district.

For the previous two days, district authorities have set up camp in Bade Tewda to make sure the situation doesn’t become worse.

“A few homes owned by members of Christian minorities were assaulted, and at least two churches were set on fire. The hamlet was in a state of rioting. Christianity has not been accepted by the sarpanch. Arun Pannalal, head of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, said, “He buried his father’s body in his own land according to the tribal community’s customs.”

“The villagers spread false information that a converted Christian’s body had been secretly buried, which led to the confrontation,” Pannalal said.

The wounded villagers and police officers were taken to the hospital.