Tension gripped Sihora town in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh on Thursday night, February 19, 2026, after members of two communities clashed in the Azad Chowk area. The violence led to stone pelting, damage to shops and vehicles, and heavy police deployment.
The incident took place around 9 pm at Azad Chowk in Ward No 5, where a Durga temple and the Madina Masjid Ahle Sunnat mosque are located opposite each other in a sensitive area.
Dispute During Aarti and Prayers
According to reports, the clash began when an evening aarti was being performed at the temple while prayers were underway at the mosque. Some people reportedly objected to the loudspeaker volume during the religious activities.
Eyewitnesses said an argument broke out after allegations that the temple’s protective grill was damaged. The verbal dispute quickly turned violent, with members of both sides pelting stones at each other.
Videos circulating on social media showed people throwing stones and using sticks, which increased tension in the area. Several shops and vehicles along the road were damaged during the clash.
This story was originally published in theobserverpost.com. Read the full story here.
