Police have arrested Congress MLA Devendra Yadav in connection with the violence that took place during the agitation of the Satnami community on June 10 in Chhattisgarh’s Balodabazar town. At the same time, Yadav has accused the BJP government of implicating Congress workers in the arson case. Superintendent of Police Vijay Agarwal said that the MLA was arrested from his residence in Durg district. He was brought to Balodabazar, the headquarters of Balodabazar-Bhatapara district, where he was arrested on Saturday.
After news of police action on the Congress MLA spread, many supporters of Yadav gathered outside his residence in Bhilai Nagar area of Durg and raised slogans. Yadav, an influential young face of the party, is a second-time MLA from Bhilai Nagar constituency. The Superintendent of Police said Yadav was arrested in connection with a case registered at Kotwali police station in the Balodabazar arson incident. The case was registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. Yadav was produced before a local court. The court sent him to judicial custody till August 20.
Let us tell you that on the night of 15, unidentified persons broke the sacred symbol ‘Jaitakham’ or ‘Vijay Stambh’ worshipped by the Satnami community near Amar Gufa at Girodpuri Dham in Balodabazar-Bhatapara district. During a protest by Satnamis against this on June 10, the mob set a government office building and more than 150 vehicles on fire in Balodabazar town. Congress leaders including MLA Yadav had reportedly attended a public meeting during the demonstration of Satnamis at Dussehra Maidan. About 150 people, including members of the National Student Union of India (NSUI) and Bhim Army, were arrested in connection with the June 10 arson.
Criticising the ruling BJP, Yadav said he is not afraid of the government and will continue his fight for the people. He said the state government is trying to implicate Congress workers in the Balodabazar arson case. He said the government took action against him for raising voice for the youth and innocents of the Satnami community.
At the same time, former Chief Minister of the state Bhupesh Baghel termed Yadav’s arrest as political vendetta. Baghel alleged that the role of the government and the police in the entire incident is suspicious. Despite the alleged role of former MLA Sanam Jangde in the incident, no BJP member was questioned or arrested. He said that Devendra Yadav’s arrest has been done solely due to political malice and we oppose it.
Baghel said, “We will take legal suggestions and decide the future course of action accordingly.” MLA Yadav is also an accused in cases registered by the Enforcement Directorate and the state Anti-Corruption Bureau and Economic Offences Wing in connection with the alleged coal levy scam that unearthed when the Congress was in power in Chhattisgarh.
