Mewat has witnessed as escalation in communal violence

Around two dozen Muslim families, operating small enterprises such as barbers shops, and tailoring and scrap units were thrashed and forced to flee Basai village in Gurgaon earlier this week.

Confirming the incident, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Sangeeta Rani told The Hindu that five persons, including prime accused Amit, have been arrested and a case registered under Sections 148, 149, 323, 427 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code.

A senior police officer said the attackers suspected the involvement of the scrap dealers in petty theft. He however, said that only four to five families were targeted.

Earlier this year, Mewat saw an escalation of communal tension over cattle smuggling which resulted in the death of a Hindu youth.

Several Muslim youth have been arrested for their alleged involvement in cattle smuggling, but members of the community argued that most of the victims of last week’s attack were natives of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar who have been running their shops for nearly a decade.

They alleged that the attack was aimed at polarising the two communities to seek political mileage.

Haryana is one of the two States which will go to polls later this year.