Stone-pelting over family feud sparks panic outside Manasa court

Indore: Shopkeepers were forced to down shutters and passersby ran for cover after members of two families involved in a marital dispute clashed and hurled stones at each other outside Manasa court complex in Neemuch district on Monday evening.

Neemuch SP Rajesh Vyas said that eight people were arrested from the spot, five of whom were sent to jail and three were given bail from SDM court. A video of the incident surfaced on Tuesday showing men from both sides pelting stones in full public view outside the court premises. The violence triggered panic in the area and disrupted traffic movement on the main road.

Police said that the dispute stemmed from a marriage solemnised four years ago between a woman from Malaheda village and a man from Sawan Kund. The woman’s in-laws were allegedly refusing to take her back, leading to an ongoing family dispute.

On Monday evening, the woman’s maternal uncle had reached Manasa court in connection with the matter when members of both sides came face to face. What began as an argument soon escalated into stone pelting and assault outside the court complex.

On receiving information, Manasa police station in-charge Nilesh Awasthi reached the spot with police personnel and detained those involved in the violence. The accused were booked for disturbing public peace and produced before the SDM court.

Those arrested were identified as Jaipal, Pratap, Banshilal, Mukesh, Madanlal, Prahlad and Jagdish, all belonging to Banjara community and residents of different villages in the area.

Manasa SDM Kiran Anjana said strict action would be taken against anyone disturbing law and order in public places.

Vyas said that police registered cross FIRs against members of both groups. Based on a complaint filed by Kailashi Bai of Sawan Kund, a case was registered against Pappu, Gopi, Sonu, Sarwan and Nahar Singh. In the counter-complaint filed by Sonu Banjara of Malaheda, police booked Ravi, Inder Singh, Kailashi Bai and Arjun.