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Communal violence in Jainoor: Muslim shops turned to ashes, mosques vandalized, being forced to leave the village
Section 144 Imposed, Internet Services Suspended, Police Deployed, Perpetrators Arrested
In Jainoor, the violence against Muslims appears to be a pre-planned conspiracy that was being organized for a month. An accident was misrepresented as a case of rape-murder, igniting communal riots, while biased media continued to spread hatred.
Muslim properties were torched for seven hours straight, with electricity deliberately cut off to facilitate the destruction. This article sheds light on how the entire village was devastated, and how thousands were left homeless and jobless.
The Plot to Destroy Muslim Properties
05-09-24: The incident began with a Muslim auto driver involved in an accident. The situation was falsely portrayed as an attempt to commit rape and murder. A rally was organized on September 3, demanding strict punishment for the driver. The police were investigating, and it was the court’s responsibility to determine the appropriate sentence. However, on the night of September 3, a sudden announcement of a shutdown was made in Jainoor, signaling the beginning of the village’s destruction.
Historically, we’ve seen most communal riots in North India, but now the communal venom has spread to the peaceful state of Telangana. The Muslim community was blamed for the actions of one individual, leading to mass violence against them. Our team investigated the case and uncovered several shocking details.
On September 3, after the rally, a shutdown was announced, and the entire village closed on September 4. People stayed in their homes, but by 10 PM, a mob took to the streets. They set fire to the accused’s house, and soon after, Muslim shops and homes were targeted. Although the mob didn’t carry petrol, they were supplied with it by neighboring shops as they approached Muslim properties. CCTV footage shows that the shops were looted before being set on fire, with shutters closed to ensure complete destruction. Mosques were also vandalized.
For six to seven hours, under the watchful eyes of the police, the mob burned down around fifty shops. The destruction didn’t stop at the market. The mob entered Muslim neighborhoods, spreading terror.
Muslims Watched Helplessly
The Muslims, fearful for their lives, stayed indoors, unaware that the market was being burned. Many believed the smoke was from the accused’s house. Locals claim that the whole event was carefully planned, as electricity was cut off two hours before the fire started to ensure the rioters’ safety. People with seemingly innocent faces supplied petrol to the mob, furthering the destruction.
The majority of Jainoor’s Muslim population wasn’t even in the village when the violence occurred, as they were unaware of the planned attacks.
Internet Shutdown and Police Inaction
On September 4, as the violence began, internet services were shut down to prevent the spread of information. The mob continued their rampage from noon until 7 PM, with the police present but allegedly supporting the rioters. Some locals said the mob was out of control, and the police, being outnumbered, couldn’t stop them. There are also questions about why local police didn’t seek help from district authorities, given the proximity of Asifabad and Adilabad.
Manipur Violence: Ethnic Strife or Communal Violence?
Seventy-five percent of the mob reportedly came from nearby villages, and it was confirmed on September 3 that only Muslim properties were to be targeted.
Jainoor: A Village in Ruins
Jainoor, once the main market for fifty nearby villages, is now a desolate wasteland. It will take twenty years to rebuild the village. Many people have already fled, while others are preparing to leave. Muslims no longer feel safe in this village, and although the police are currently providing security, their long-term safety is uncertain.
Government Response
Prime Minister Modi is seen embracing leaders from Arab countries, inaugurating temples, and visiting mosques abroad, but at home, Muslims face atrocities, with the government turning a blind eye. While Telangana is governed by Congress, locals believe the violence was supported by communal forces, with over 2,000 people participating in the mob, including women. Ninety percent of them were outsiders, and the planning started two days before the attacks.
Muslim families in Jainoor are living in constant fear, expecting further attacks on their homes. The state government needs to intervene to ensure peace and relocate Muslims to safer areas.
Four days before this incident, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane publicly threatened violence against mosques, stating that the police wouldn’t dare take action against them. This case is seen as a direct result of such inflammatory statements. Now the question is, how many of these rioters will face justice, or will they be celebrated with garlands as often happens?
A Similar Incident in Ghaziabad
A similar case emerged from Ghaziabad, where a Muslim boy named Faizan was falsely accused of raping and assaulting a Hindu girl. Following the accusations, a mob vandalized and set fire to Faizan’s shop. However, forensic investigations revealed no evidence of rape, and no signs of assault were found. Despite this, Faizan was jailed under false charges based on the girl’s father’s complaint.
It’s now being demanded that the girl’s father be charged for filing a false case, and that those responsible for the damage to Faizan’s shop be held accountable and made to pay for the losses.
Jainoor’s Long Road to Recovery
Hearing about the destruction in Jainoor, you might wonder why the Muslim community didn’t respond during those seven hours of terror. The history of Jainoor is important to understand in this context.
Jainoor is unique in India, where even minor incidents like slaps or traffic accidents lead to a village shutdown. Every time the village closes, people from all communities respect the market closure, and there has never been any violence during these shutdowns. However, this time, 90% of Muslim men were out of the village, unaware that their homes and businesses were being targeted for destruction.
The internet was shut down to prevent rumors and avoid further violence. Yet, the media continued to falsely portray Muslims as the criminals, claiming the violence started after stones were thrown at the rally. Tribal Minister, however, clarified that this wasn’t a case of rape or attempted murder, but an accident involving the Muslim auto driver.
Urgent Need for Accountability
The police must identify and take strict action against those responsible for planning and carrying out the destruction in Jainoor. This should serve as a warning to those who think they can devastate towns and villages without consequence. Just as we’ve seen Myanmar and Sri Lanka torn apart by communal violence, India must prevent itself from following the same path.
Ninety percent of Jainoor’s population is still in shock, having witnessed the destruction of their village firsthand, helpless to stop it. It is unlikely that Jainoor will ever be rebuilt to its former state.
