Mob attacks Hindu couple, attempts shop arson in Ochchan village

Bharuch: A case has been registered at Vagra Police Station after a group of people from the minority community assaulted a Hindu couple and attempted to burn down their shop in Ochchan village, while also issuing death threats. The teams from Vagra Police and district police have implemented tight security measures in Ochchan to prevent any further untoward incidents.

According to the complaint filed at Vagra Police, Kishanbhai Kailashchandwa Kumawat, aged 25 and hailing from Bhilwara district in Rajasthan, has been residing with his wife in Ochchan village for the past two years. Kishanbhai runs a shop called Balaji General Kirana Store, located in the lower part of the Ramji Mandir, which is owned by Dharmendrasinh Ranjitsinh Rana, the trustee of the temple. The complaint alleges that the children of Abdul Mohammad Patel, residents of Ochchan Wanta Falia, frequently harassed Kishanbhai and his wife, causing disturbances in their shop.

On the night of April 21, 2024, around 10:30 PM, while Kishanbhai and his wife Puja were at the shop, Abdul Patel’s son Talha and Tehzeeb came to purchase goods. However, an argument ensued when Talha and Tehzeeb began cursing loudly in front of the shop. This led to a confrontation involving a group of 15 to 20 individuals from the minority community, including Javed Adam Patel, Hujef Zakir Patel, Mustaq Mohammad Patel, Saeed Mohammad Patel, Taslima Abdul Patel, Sabina Mustaq Patel, Firoj Mustaq Patel, Riyaz Mustaq Patel, Abdul Mohammad Patel, and others. Kishanbhai was reportedly assaulted by Abdul Mohammad Patel, Mustaq Mohammad Patel, Hujef Zakir Patel, and Javid Adam Patel, who beat him with a stick and a belt, resulting in the breaking of his shirt buttons. Meanwhile, stones were thrown by other individuals, resulting in injuries to Abdul’s wife Taslima.

Following this, Abdul Mohammad Patel threw a burning log into Kishan’s shop, causing the cardboard and jute bags to catch fire. Later, other people, including the sarpanch of Ochchan village, intervened to mediate. However, the situation escalated further when the mob targeted Sarpanch Dharmendra Singh Rana, assaulting him, tearing his T-shirt, and threatening his life. Kishan, his wife Pujaben, and Dharmendrasinh Rana were all subjected to physical violence.

Taslima Patel sustained a head injury during the altercation and was taken to Wagra Primary Health Center for treatment. She was later transferred to a private hospital in Bharuch for further medical care. Taslima alleges that Sarpanch Dharmendra Singh was responsible for her injury. DeshGujarat