Bhopal: Pradeep Patel, BJP MLA from Mauganj, was arrested on Thursday night for defying police orders and visiting Devra village, which is currently under communal tension over Muslim settlements near a temple, reports The Hindu.
Authorities had earlier barred Patel from entering the area for 15 days following clashes over the nine-acre disputed land near the Mahadevan Temple. Despite these restrictions, Patel visited the site, leading to his arrest, according to officials.
He was subsequently moved to a government rest house under heavy security early Friday morning, sparking protests from his supporters who gathered near the rest house. Police had previously detained Patel on Wednesday, confining him to a community hall in Mauganj for several hours before releasing him with strict instructions to stay away from the disputed site.
Tensions escalated in Devra village on November 19, when Hindu groups and Patel’s supporters demanded the eviction of Muslim residents from the area. Despite the efforts of MP minister Prahlad Singh Patel, who urged Patel to allow the law to take its course, the legislator remained defiant.
This ongoing situation highlights the fragile communal atmosphere in the region and the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining peace.
