Dhanbad, Nov. 8: An uneasy calm prevails in the Govindpur area of the coal belt following last night’s incidents of arson and violence in Bagsuma village.

The violence was triggered by the kidnap and subsequent murder of a 13-year-old, Vikas. The body of Vikas was fished out of a well late last night. But before the body could be taken out angry villagers resorted to arson and violence, torching a poultry farm and houses belonging to some of the persons suspected to have a hand in the kidnapping and murder of Vikas.

Additional police reinforcements, along with a riot control vehicle, have been deployed in the area. The police today pressed into service sniffer dogs in a bid to trace the culprits.

After Vikas’ body was spotted, the members of the Kumbhkar community turned violent and attacked their Ravidas counterparts. The Kumbhkars have accused Kalicharan Ravidas, Haradhan Ravidas and their business partner Akhilesh Singh of being involved in the kidnapping and murder of Vikas. The villagers’ ire was also directed against Govindpur police. The protesters pelted stones at the police team.

“Vikas went missing on Wednesday evening. We had informed the police that we suspected Akhilesh Singh, Haradhan Ravidas and his brother Kalicharan Ravidas of having a hand in the kidnapping. But the police failed to act on time because of pressure from the accused who run a poultry farm in the village. The Ravidas have roped in Singh as a partner for their poultry farm,” father of the deceased alleged.

The Kumbhkars became violent because the body, which was fished out after the arrival of Dhanbad superintendent of police M.L. Meena, was mutilated. Both the eyes were missing while the hands were tied on the back.