Loudspeaker dispute during temple and mosque prayers triggers violence:Stone pelting in Sihora; heavy police deployed

A dispute over loudspeakers during temple aarti and Taraweeh prayers triggered violence in Sihora, about 40 km from Jabalpur, on Thursday night. What began as an argument quickly escalated into stone pelting, vandalism and tension between two groups. The incident occurred around 9 PM at Azad Chowk, where aarti was underway at the Durga temple while Taraweeh prayers were being offered at a mosque located opposite it. According to the temple committee, around 70 people allegedly came from the mosque side, broke the temple grill and assaulted a young man after dragging him out. Police from four stations rushed to the spot and brought the situation largely under control, but tension resurfaced the following day.
Protest, sloganeering heavy police deployment next day On Friday morning, Hindu organisations began gathering in Sihora. By 11 AM, hundreds of people had assembled, while around 300 police personnel from multiple stations and STF were deployed. Most shops remained closed. Hindu groups submitted a memorandum to Additional SP Suryakant Sharma, demanding bulldozer action against the mosque within 24 hours and seeking restrictions on prayers. After submitting the memorandum, protesters sat on the main road near the bus stand and recited the Hanuman Chalisa while raising slogans. Around 50 Muslim youths gathered about 300 metres away but were dispersed by police. Some protesters also overturned and vandalised fruit carts belonging to Muslim vendors before police intervened and cleared the area by evening. Temple and mosque shut, curfew-like situation in area Both the Durga temple and the mosque at Azad Chowk remained closed, and a curfew-like situation prevailed. Heavy police deployment was seen, and roads remained largely deserted. Akash Tiwari, present near the temple, said the dispute began during aarti when some people arrived and started arguing. He alleged that a young man inside the temple was assaulted and the grill was broken, after which stone pelting began.
Muslim residents allege vandalism, arson and looting In a Muslim residential area about 800 metres away, several houses and vehicles showed signs of vandalism. One house was reportedly set on fire. Resident Wasid Ali said they had returned home after offering namaz when violence erupted later in the night. He alleged that a group entered their locality, damaged vehicles, cut water pipes and electricity wires, and attacked homes with weapons. Another resident, Ibrahim Shah, said masked individuals vandalised his house and looted belongings. He said his family survived by locking themselves inside a room. Hasina Bisa alleged that attackers broke into her house, vandalised property and stole ₹50,000 kept in a cabinet. Both sides blame each other; police promise action Local resident Arshad Khan said both communities had earlier agreed on prayer timings, but the aarti began earlier than decided, leading to tensions. He said stone pelting occurred from both sides and those responsible should face action. Additional SP Suryakant Sharma said 49 accused had been arrested and sent to judicial custody. He added that affected residents can file complaints at the police station, and action will be taken based on evidence, CCTV footage and witness statements.