Chhattisgarh Transfers Key Officials After Arson in Balodabazar-Bhatapara

The Chhattisgarh government has transferred the collector and superintendent of police of Balodabazar-Bhatapara following recent large-scale arson. The Satnami community's protest against vandalisation of a sacred symbol led to violent clashes, resulting in the imposition of Section 144. Multiple arrests have been made, and political parties accuse each other of conspiracy.

The Chhattisgarh government has enacted major administrative changes by transferring the collector and superintendent of police (SP) of Balodabazar-Bhatapara following extensive arson at the district headquarters two days ago.

Authorities from the state's general administration and home departments issued the transfer orders late Tuesday. KL Chauhan, the Balodabazar-Bhatapara collector, was reassigned to Mantralaya as special secretary without a portfolio. Deepak Soni, currently the registrar of cooperative societies, will replace him as the new collector.

The district's SP, Sadanand Kumar, has been reposted to the police headquarters as Deputy Inspector General of Police. Vijay Agrawal, Surguja SP, will succeed Kumar, and Yogesh Patel, Commandant of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force 4th battalion, will replace Agrawal in Surguja.

The incident stemmed from a protest by the Satnami community against the alleged desecration of a religious monument. The protest escalated into arson, with a mob setting a government office and over 150 vehicles ablaze. The district has since imposed Section 144, banning the assembly of four or more people until June 16. In response, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai met with Satnami community leaders to discuss the situation.

The state has registered seven FIRs related to the arson, constituting 12 police teams to investigate. Despite accusations from state ministers Dayaldas Baghel and Tank Ram Verma against Congress for inciting the violence, Congress leaders have called these allegations baseless, stating they are an attempt to cover up governmental failures.

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