Heavy police deployment, dozens of arrests after communal tensions flare up in Jabalpur

Communal tensions flared up in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh, resulting in stone-pelting and violence in Sihora tehsil on Thursday night. The area then saw heavy police deployment and the arrest of 49 people. According to police, violence began after a grill at a temple in Sihora’s Azad Chowk was allegedly broken. Following this, stone-pelting took place, and several people took to the streets armed with sticks. The clash broke out around 40 km from Jabalpur city. According to police’s preliminary investigation, an argument between members of two communities over prayers at their respective places of worship happening at the same time spiralled into physical altercations, followed by stone-pelting that continued for nearly 20–25 minutes. Police teams rushed to the spot late Thursday night and brought the situation under control. However, tension resurfaced on Friday afternoon when right-wing organisations staged protests outside Sihora police station, demanding action against those involved. Some protesters sat on the road, while incidents of vandalism were reported in the bus stand area, where a few handcarts were overturned. Police personnel from more than 12 police stations were deployed, and flag marches were conducted to deter further unrest. Superintendent of Police Sampat Upadhyay said, “CCTV footage from the area was being examined to identify those involved in the violence and further arrests were likely.” He said that while “the situation was under control, security arrangements had been tightened as a precaution.” Local authorities said normalcy had largely returned by Friday morning, but the atmosphere remained tense after fresh protests later in the day. Jabalpur ASP Suryakant Sharma said, “49 people have been arrested in a stone-pelting incident. FIR has been registered in the case. We have assured them of action.” The administration has appealed to residents to maintain peace and avoid spreading rumours, warning that strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to disturb communal harmony. Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More