In Satna, Hirlal Soni, a 28-year-old jeweller, reportedly set himself afire when Hindu activists beat him up and forced him to close his shop in Rampur Baghelan area, about 25 km from the city. Soni has been admitted to the Satna district hospital, where he is reported to be in a critical condition. His brother blamed the attempted suicide on the ill-treatment by the mob.

Satna SP Kamal Singh Rathore said investigations were on to find out the cause of the attempted immolation.

Lawlessness also prevailed in Jhabua, Dewas, Tikamgadh, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Neemuch among other cities where Hindu activists indulged in violence, forcing shopkeepers to down shutters and beating up those who refused to do so. Schools and colleges remained closed because private managements had announced a day’s holiday on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, leader of Opposition Jamuna Devi alleged that Thursday’s violence was a major conspiracy hatched by the BJP and the state Government. She alleged that the police force and the administration colluded with mobs, who openly flaunted arms.

Devi met Governor Balram Jakhar and requested him to recommend dismissal of the state government. “There was sufficient ground for taking such a step because the Government helped in whipping up communal frenzy,” she said.