The situation in Chomu town near Jaipur remains tense due to violence sparked by a disagreement over installing railings near a religious site. To maintain law and order and curb rumors, the administration has extended the suspension of WhatsApp and social media services for an additional 24 hours until Sunday morning. The internet shutdown was prolonged beyond its original deadline due to the ongoing sensitive circumstances.
Officials have expressed concerns that misinformation spread through social media could exacerbate the existing tensions. The recent violence stemmed from a dispute over the removal of stones and the subsequent installation of iron railings and a boundary wall near a religious location close to the main bus stand. An agreement had been made with a local community to clear the stones from the roadside, but tensions escalated when iron railings were put up at the site.
Law enforcement teams faced resistance when they attempted to remove what they deemed an unauthorized structure, leading to a violent confrontation with the crowd that resulted in injuries to six police officers. In response, the police have arrested 110 individuals, including 11 women, in connection with the unrest. The arrests were made following the identification of stone-throwers, who were taken into custody from their residences.
Authorities have emphasized that strict measures will be taken against anyone disrupting communal harmony. Chomu has been transformed into a high-security area with continuous flag marches being conducted. While daily activities like markets and traffic are functioning normally, heightened vigilance is being maintained by the police in sensitive zones. Residents have been urged to disregard rumors, support the authorities, and contribute to upholding peace.
