Lens on role of ‘samosawali chachi’ for Indore attack

Role of an elderly woman in a locality in Indore, popularly known as samosawali chachi (aunt who sells samosas), in the April 1 attack on a medical team was under scanner, a senior police officer said on Saturday.

Interrogation of the arrested accused has led to disclosure that the woman allegedly instigated mob fury leading to the attack on doctors, a senior police officer told this newspaper requesting anonymity.

“Samosawali chachi raised an alarm when the medical team reached in the particular colony to conduct health screening of a local youth, leading to a mob to gather there. The gathering was misguided by her that provided the trigger for mob violence,” the accused were quoted as saying by the police officer.

“We are looking for the woman. Her arrest may clarify if there was any conspiracy behind the incident,” police said.

The police was examining the video footage of the incident to identify “each and every” member involved in the attack, including some women.

Meanwhile, nine more people were arrested in connection with the incident on Saturday, taking the total number of arrests to 13.

The state government has slapped National Security Act against the four accused arrested in connection with the incident on Friday and sent them to jail in Rewa.

In another development, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan late on Friday held a meeting with leaders of all religions here seeking their cooperation in carrying out medical examination of the locals. Chouhan also talked to the doctors of the team which was attacked saying that he was proud of them for rendering service courageously at this juncture.

Meanwhile, two senior IAS officers holding key charges in state health department on Saturday tested positive for Covid19 seriously affecting operation of the ‘war room’ set up by the Chief Minister. The development has forced the state government to put 14 senior IAS officers in quarantine