In an effort to diffuse escalating communal tensions in Telangana’s Nizamabad district, a peace meeting was convened on Monday in Velpur village. The underlying cause of the strife is a land dispute that prompted calls for a social boycott of Muslims, with a 150-year-old graveyard and an Eidgah at the center of the controversy.
Stakeholders, including the revenue divisional officer (RDO), members of the Waqf board, the assistant commissioner of police, and village elders, participated in the peace meet. Notably, authorities imposed Section 144 in the area to prevent any potential unrest, as confirmed by Additional District Commissioner of Police S. Jayaram.
The tensions ignited on December 9 when the Village Development Committee (VDC) in Velpur issued a call for a social boycott against the Muslim community. The VDC claimed historical use of the disputed 4.12-acre estate as grazing land, sparking the conflict.
Efforts to address the dispute through notices and subsequent meetings faced hurdles when VDC representatives failed to attend. On December 10, approximately 200-250 individuals from the Hindu community gathered to assert control over the contested land. Swift police intervention, including averted escalation through a lathicharge, prevented the situation from spiraling out of control.
The roots of the conflict date back to 2015, with the VDC asserting historical use for cattle grazing, while the Muslim community contends the site has served as a graveyard for over 150 years. Previous attempts at resolution in Lok Adalat were unsuccessful due to the absence of Muslim representatives.
This incident sheds light on the role of Village Development Committees (VDCs) in managing disputes within Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts. While VDCs aim to self-organize and resolve conflicts without legal or police intervention, concerns about potential biases fostering casteism and communal tensions have surfaced.
The ongoing situation emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of VDC dynamics, considering their potential impact on fostering harmony within communities and preventing social boycotts. Authorities are actively working towards a peaceful resolution, emphasizing dialogue and mediation to address the underlying land dispute.
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