By Team Clarion
SANGLI — Nearly 19 Muslim families who were preparing to leave their village in Maharashtra’s Sangli district following an alleged mob attack have decided to stay after receiving assurances of security and a fair investigation from the administration.
The families, residents of Gaus Arala village, said they had been living in fear after the incident and had started making arrangements to move elsewhere. However, after intervention by district officials and police authorities, they have chosen to remain in the village for the time being.
Residents said the administration assured them that their complaints would be properly investigated and that steps would be taken to maintain peace and security in the area.
Abid Hussain Abdul Dange, one of the affected residents, said an atmosphere of fear had spread among members of the Muslim community after the incident.
“Many families felt unsafe. Around 18 to 19 Muslim families, including my own, had packed their belongings and were preparing to leave the village,” Dange said.
He added that several residents believed they could no longer live safely in the area after what they described as a disturbing episode of violence and intimidation.
According to members of the affected families, the conflict originated from what they described as a minor disagreement on 28 April.
Dange said some customers purchased chicken from his shop and took cooking utensils with them. Later, when the utensils were returned, a disagreement allegedly arose over missing items.
According to his account, the argument later expanded into a dispute involving car keys. Residents said local people intervened and the matter initially appeared to have been settled.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net. Read the full story here.