Gariaband violence erupts in Chhattisgarh as a mob attacks Muslim homes in Dutkaiya, burning houses, injuring residents and police, and forcing families to flee.
Communal unrest in Dutkaiya village in Gariaband leaves homes destroyed, residents injured, and police overwhelmed for hours
By Qalam Times News Network
Gariaband, Chhattisgarh | February 1, 2026
Gariaband Violence erupted dramatically in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district on Sunday when a massive mob attacked Muslim households in Dutkaiya village, setting fire to more than half a dozen homes and forcing every Muslim family in the village to abandon their residences.
The violence unfolded after a chain of events earlier in the day. According to police officials, three men allegedly assaulted several local residents on Sunday morning. One of the accused, Arif Khan, had previously been booked in a 2024 case related to the vandalism of a local Shiva temple and was out on bail. His return to the village after months reportedly reignited tensions. As the Gariaband violence escalated, villagers were assured by police that action would be taken against the accused.
Despite these assurances, a small group vandalised the accused’s house later in the day. This incident soon spiralled into large-scale unrest as hundreds of people from Dutkaiya and nearby villages gathered, armed with sticks, stones, bricks, and kerosene bottles. The crowd allegedly attempted to break into the locked homes of nearly ten Muslim families, torching vehicles and setting houses ablaze.
Police personnel, severely outnumbered and facing manpower shortages due to deployment at the Rajim Kumbh, formed a human shield to protect women and children trapped inside the houses. At least seven police officers were injured while holding off the mob for several hours.
After reinforcements arrived late at night, police used force to disperse the crowd and evacuated more than 20 residents in a bus. During the rescue, two adults suffered injuries. In a separate operation, six to seven children were discovered trapped inside a madrasa and were safely rescued, though six policemen sustained serious injuries during the effort.
Even after midnight, sporadic violence continued. A woman allegedly threw a brick at a police officer, causing severe head injuries, while several others, including senior officials, suffered blunt-force trauma.
Survivors described horrifying scenes. One woman, whose husband is now wheelchair-bound with multiple fractures, recalled pleading with the mob as her husband was beaten relentlessly. “I used to cry seeing riot images on TV. I never imagined it would happen to us,” she said.
Residents stated that tensions between communities had existed for years, driven by local disputes and economic issues. Families linked to the earlier temple incident had previously left the village fearing retaliation but returned after administrative assurances of safety.
In an official statement, police said the unrest was swiftly addressed, minimum force was used to prevent loss of life, and the injured were provided medical care. Two FIRs have been registered in connection with the rioting, and investigations are ongoing.
