Normalcy was restored on Monday in Kanwas town of Rajasthan’s Kota district, a day after violent protests erupted following the fatal stabbing of a local resident. Authorities assured compensation for the victim’s family and signed a written agreement pledging no action against protesters, police said on Monday.
The violence broke out on Sunday after Ateek Ahmed allegedly stabbed Sandeep Sharma to death following a quarrel over a minor issue outside a showroom. According to police, Ahmed had asked Sharma to vacate a chair for him. When Sharma refused, Ahmed left the scene and returned around ten minutes later with a knife, attacking Sharma multiple times before fleeing. Sharma died on the spot, triggering widespread unrest, news agency PTI reported.
Angry protesters, including villagers and members of Hindu organisations, attempted to set fire to Ahmed’s house. Police said a roadside shop belonging to one of Ahmed’s relatives was also gutted in the blaze. The fire triggered explosions from gas cylinders inside the house and a car parked outside, said Kanwas Station House Officer Shyam Babu. The blaze was later brought under control, and the house was dismantled “in view of public safety”, he added, as per PTI.
Sub-divisional Magistrate Ramavatar Meena also reiterated that the demolition was carried out solely for safety reasons and not as a punitive measure against Ahmed.
Rajasthan Murder Victims’s Family Promised ₹15 Lakh Financial Aid, Contractual Job To Wife
On Monday, an agreement was reached between the local administration and the deceased’s family in the presence of Rajasthan’s Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar. As per the written agreement, Sharma’s family would receive ₹15 lakh raised through public contribution. The education expenses of his children up to Class 12 would be covered, and his wife would be offered a contractual job. The agreement also stated that no police action would be taken against those involved in Sunday’s arson, and a pending property dispute involving Sharma’s family would be resolved swiftly.
Following Sharma’s killing, traders in the town closed their shops in protest. Meanwhile, the deceased’s family and local villagers initially refused to allow a post-mortem, demanding stringent action against the accused and the demolition of his house.
Ahmed, 24, and his associate Deepak Dholi, 20, were detained late on Sunday night and are currently being interrogated, said Kota (Rural) Superintendent of Police Sujit Shankar, as per PTI.
The body was handed over to the family for last rites following the agreement on Monday after the post-mortem was conducted. Sub-divisional Magistrate Meena confirmed that normalcy had returned to the town, with markets reopening on Monday. However, prohibitory orders will remain in place during the evening hours to maintain law and order.
