Vadodara erupts again

The discovery of two bodies in a VHP activist’s car leads to riots and police action.

VADODARA: Tensions mounted in the small town of Dabhoi in Vadodara district following recovery of two bodies of boys belonging to a minority community. They were found murdered in a car belong to VHP activist Jagdish Pankhi on Thursday. Police had to intensify vigilance, because angry residents took to the streets and resorted to stone pelting. Police lobbed teargas shells to disperse the mobs.  No untoward incidents were reported.

The two victims, Tahahusain Belim, 5, and Mustaq Sheikh, 7, went missing on Tuesday night after they had gone to watch a pre-marriage procession in Vakil Faliya area of Dabhoi, 30 kms from Vadodara.

When the children failed to return home, mother of Tahahusain, Mariam lodged a police complaint on Wednesday. The family members had looked for the boys to no avail.  The family had enlisted help of astrologers in search of clues.

Incidentally, one victim's house was located on Vakil Faliya, a main road, while Pankhi's house was on the backside of another main road called Sheth Faliya.

Vadodara range IG Rakesh Asthana and district collector rushed to the spot while police removed the two bodies from Pankhi’s car.  Talking to DNA, collector and district magistrate, Rajiv Topno, said, “A detailed police investigation will take place. The situation is under control.”

Meanwhile, reports from Dabhoi said Pankit had gone to the police station and informed them about the two bodies in his car.