Police are reportedly investigating the role of a TRS rebel MLA from Adilabad district and members of the Hindu Vahini, in the communal violence at Bhainsa, even as six persons of a family were burnt alive in a house in nearby Watoli village early Sunday morning.The village is 13 km from Bhainsa, where communal clashes occurred on Friday during idol immersion of goddess Durga, leading to arson and looting. Sources in Adilabad police said that the TRS rebel MLA’s cotton ginning factory was being used by miscreants to launch attacks on houses owned by minorities. Six persons, including two teenagers and a two-year-old girl, were burnt alive in the Watoli incident. Police are trying to determine if it was linked to the communal tension brewing in Bhainsa. Home Minister K Jana Reddy, who rushed to the spot in the evening, said the Government will consider handing over the investigation to the CBI.Curfew is on in Bhainsa and neighbouring areas and Rapid Action Force personnel have been deployed to assist the local police and special forces in maintaining peace.The police are also said to be investigating the role of the TRS rebel MLA and members of the Hindu Vahini, which is active in the area. While Adilabad SP Anil Kumar refused to comment, sources informed that several women had complained that miscreants wearing hoods and masks had come out of the MLA’s cotton mill on Friday and attacked minority houses.Today, Majlis-e-Itehadul Muslimeen (MIM) president and Hyderabad MP Assaduddin Owaisi threatened to ask his community’s cadre to come out on the streets and protect their people if the Government failed to do so. Owaisi, who visited Watoli on Sunday afternoon, said that Muslims in Bhainsa and surrounding areas were living in absolute fear.He demanded that the Government provide compensation to the shopkeepers of both communities whose shops were burnt. “We also reiterate our demand to ban the Bajrang Dal and take action against the Hindu Vahini,” he said.Communal tension started in Bhainsa last week over installation of Durga idols and opposition from some local Muslims. On Friday, during immersion of idols, clashes broke out, followed by arson and looting. A fragile peace was believed to have been reached, with the presence of a large police force.On Sunday, the attack came at around 3 am on the house of Mohammed Khan. By the time the sleepy family could realise what was happening, the entire house was in flames. District Collector Nadim Ahmed said that three bodies were charred beyond recognition. The victims have been identified as Mohammed Khan, Numan, Arsalan, Toba Falak, Rizwana and Sofia Begum. “The communal tension in Bhainsa town was under control. It is a mystery that this isolated incident occurred in this village. Only one house went up in flames. It is still not clear whether it is a fallout of the communal tension. There are only two Muslim families in this village, which has 50-odd houses. The attack happened around 3 am so there are hardly any witnesses,” Ahmed said. The Home Minister has also expressed doubts over the incident.Late in the evening, Ahmed ordered a magisterial inquiry and the Revenue Divisional Officer of Nirmal division was appointed as the inquiry officer. “He will submit the report within 30 days,” Ahmed said.
