A major incident of violence and local high-handedness has surfaced in the Alwar district of Rajasthan during preparations for the upcoming panchayat committee elections. Imraan, the son of Sainthli gram panchayat sarpanch Joharmal, along with about six of his associates, was targeted by a large group of antisocial elements in Sainthli village, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Sadar police station. The incident, which unfolded during election campaigning and public outreach, has triggered panic in the village and raised serious questions about the safety of the democratic process.
Attack Follows Community Welcome
According to Imraan, he and his team had visited the area to consult with members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community and other villagers regarding the panchayat committee elections. Just a day prior to the incident, members of the SC community had given Imraan a grand reception, garlanding him to contest the polls. Continuing this outreach, on September 26 at around 7:00 PM, while he was peacefully interacting with local residents, a mob of more than 24 youths suddenly rushed in and launched an assault. Present at the scene along with Imraan were Iqbal, Sahamat, Azmat, Mubarik, Shareef, and others who had traveled from Chhirkhana. The crowd was allegedly led by Waheed, Fareed, Shareef, Rujdar, Taleem Khan, and Shubbha Khan.
Weapons Display and Vandalism
The aggrieved party stated that the attackers arrived fully equipped with wooden staves and other sharp weapons. Upon arrival, they began hurling abuses and resorted to physical violence. The sarpanch's son sustained severe internal injuries during the assault and was rushed to a local hospital for medical treatment. The attackers did not stop at injuring individuals; they also targeted two cars belonging to Imraan and his supporters. They smashed the windscreens and windows of both vehicles using sticks and heavy blows. Terrifying video footage documenting the rampage has since emerged.
Dominance and Criminal Elements
The primary motive behind the assault appears to be electoral dominance and local intimidation. The attackers openly threatened the victims, declaring that no outsider or leader could enter Sainthli village without their explicit permission, and demanded that anyone seeking votes must first seek their patronage. The sarpanch's family alleged that these youths from Chandbas and Sainthli are involved in extortion and online scamming activities known locally as 'tattlubazi', using fear to control the general public. Although police had detained some of these suspects previously, they were allegedly released without substantial action, emboldening the perpetrators.
Police Investigation Underway
Following the incident, Imraan filed a formal complaint at the Alwar Sadar police station against more than 24 named and unnamed individuals. However, the victims expressed frustration that despite the official FIR, the police have yet to arrest any of the accused, giving the attackers a free hand. Law enforcement authorities have stated that a thorough investigation into the matter is currently underway.
