After largely crediting the Mohalla Committees with maintaining peace between Hindus and Muslims after the December 1992-January 1993 riots, the police have now formed Muharrum Shantata Committees to prevent sectarian disputes between Shias and Sunnis in the city during Muharrum.
Two such groups, comprising leaders from the two sects and policemen, were formed a few weeks ago to cover areas under Dongri and Sir JJ Marg police stations. The group’s first success came on Monday night when it prevented a dispute between the sects from escalating into a riot at Dongri.
According to eye-witnesses, a procession of Shia mourners was passing through a narrow lane when people praying at a nearby Sunni mosque objected to the noise from the crowd.“Had members of the committee not rushed in to settle the dispute, the situation could have taken a turn for the worse,” said Irfan Sarang, an eyewitness to the incident.
According to the residents, the 10 days of mourning observed by Shias during Muharrum often sparked worry about small skirmishes being blowing up into riots. The idea of a peace-keeping committee came when members of the local community met Naval Bajaj, additional commissioner of police, south.
MA Khalid, a Dongri resident and committee member, said, “It’s an experiment involving citizens for maintenance of law and order. It is like telling people that you have to solve your disputes before asking the police for help.”
Safdar Karmali, a trustee of a Shia mosque and a Muharrum committee member, said the body will continue working for peace during other religious events and festivals.”
Dr Chhering Dorjee, deputy commissioner of police, zone II, said, there have been no incidents of hostility, barring the one on Monday,
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