Violence In MP After Inter-Faith Couple Elopes, BJP MLA Claims Woman 'Kidnapped'
Claiming that the man had kidnapped the woman BJP MLA Pradeep Lariya demanded police investigate the matter thoroughly and bring back the woman. He called it a case of 'love-jihad'.
An inter-faith couple eloped to get married in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar, sparking violence in parts of the district. Several shops were vandalised and security forces being deployed to bring the situation under control.
The incident took place after the couple fled from the Sanodha village in Sagar, but locals in the area and a BJP MLA claimed that the woman was "kidnapped" by the man. The man is reportedly involved in multiple crimes, and has encroached on government land too.
#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh: Violence broke out in Sagar District's Sanodha area after clashes erupted between two groups. Shops and houses were set on fire. pic.twitter.com/ItCxUHiwkA
— ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2025
Couple Caught, Probe On
As per the recent development, the couple has been caught by the police in Gwalior and taken for interrogation.
"They are an inter-faith couple who eloped from Sagar's Sanodha to get married. The law-and-order situation in the region was greatly affected by this action of theirs. When we got information from the Sagar Police, we tracked them and caught them from Kesar Mall near the railway station, They were planning on going to Ajmer... Both are adults," Padav Police Station in-charge Alok Singh Parihar told news agency ANI.
Earlier today, Sagar District Collector Sandeep GR said that the situation is under control and additional forces have been deployed.
"We got some information about an incident here that some people had gathered. All our police teams were deployed, including the DSP and SP to solve the issues. Now, the law and order is under our control and for that, police and security forces are deployed. I request everyone to send a message of peace," the District Collector said.
The District Collector also said that the issue was being investigated, adding that bringing the situation under law and order was the more important thing to do. "We are also looking to file an FIR," he said.
Claiming that the man had kidnapped the woman and calling it a case of 'love-jihad,' BJP MLA Pradeep Lariya said: "A person from one village has been kidnapped by a criminal, who drinks alcohol, does gambling, he makes houses on encroached land. Our demand is simple. I believe it is an issue of love jihad. The family also runs a beauty parlour. Police should investigate the matter thoroughly and bring back the woman. The people here are demanding that all these activities, alcohol, gambling and everything else should also be removed from here."
What Locals Claim
A local said that that although the police registered a missing person report, no accused was named despite being given the name of the man by the locals, ANI reported.
"A Muslim man took a Hindu woman who was going to get married yesterday. The police had registered a missing person's report but the biggest problem is that everyone knows that a complaint was given but why were the people not named?" he asked.
The man further alleged police complicity and involvement with the alleged accused involved in crimes. However, he stated that the Superintendent of Police assured that some people will be suspended after an inquiry.
"Today, the locals of Sanaudha have closed this area, done a chakka jam and police has also come here. Till now, the information we got is that the person who the woman eloped with is involved in gambling, ganja, alcohol, other crimes too. He has a big house. All the government land which is here has been encroached on by him," he said.
"When all this is happening, there is also an involvement of the police somewhere, there have been allegations on Sanaudha police too. The SP has also said that they will investigate and suspend some people," he added.
Recounting another incident of stone pelting after the initial wave of violence in Sagar district, the local said that people were talking with the police when it started. "One person got injured during the lathi charge. People got angry that he was hurt."
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