Tension prevailed in Himachal Pradesh on Monday, February 24 when a group of Muslims allegedly attacked Hindus for celebrating Mahashivratri in Gwalthai village in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh. However, the police have denied any religious angle stating the attack was due to local truck union issues.

According to local reports, members of the Truck Operators Union in Gwalthai had arranged a bhandara (community feast) on the occasion of Mahashivratri. This was allegedly opposed by the Muslims from the Illewal village. When the organizers of the feast continued with the event, members from the Muslim community arrived there and reportedly assaulted them.

One of the person who was injured in the attack, Chaman Kumar, alleged that Muslims arrived in a Thar jeep and opened fire at them, injuring himself and one Hoshiar Singh. An individual from the other side also sustained injuries.

Hindutva organisations Vishwa Hindu Parishad has come in support of the Hindu victims. Its leader Kamal Goutaam posted on his Facebook account terming the incident an “attempt to kill Hindus” and urged the police and administration to take strict action against the perpetrators.  

He also named the attackers identifying them as Ramadan Khan, Jogi Khan, Jagga Khan, Shammu Khan, Salim Khan, Kaku Khan and Achru Khan.

However, Bilaspur police have maintained that the incident had no religious angle. Speaking to Siasat.com, police said the problem emerged from a dispute within the truck union members. Both parties have registered FIRs against each other.

Investigation is ongoing and further details in the case are awaited.