Telangana violence causes significant economic setbacks for Jainoor minorities.
Prohibitory orders in Jainoor were lifted on Thursday, bringing some relief to the residents following days of restrictions. The orders were initially imposed due to escalating tensions and incidents of violence in the region, which severely impacted the local economy and disrupted daily life. Businesses had been shut, and movement was restricted, affecting the livelihood of many, particularly minorities in the area who faced major economic setbacks. With the lifting of the orders, normalcy is gradually returning, allowing businesses to reopen and people to resume their daily activities, though concerns about long-term recovery remain high.
In Jainoor, the lifting of prohibitory orders on Thursday brought a fragile calm to a region that has been reeling from violence, following the destruction of Muslim-owned businesses and homes on September 4. Despite the return to normalcy, the victims are struggling to come to terms with the deep economic and emotional scars left behind by the attacks.
One such victim is Irfan, a local businessman whose family had established their roots in the market long ago. His father, Syed Osman, started Osman General Stores in the early 1950s, and the business had been passed down through generations. Irfan and his brothers had been running the store, which sold hardware, electrical goods, plumbing supplies, stationery, paints, and more. They also owned Suleiman Steel Shop in Jainoor. However, both stores were set ablaze during the violence, with a 5,000-strong mob targeting Muslim-owned businesses.
Speaking about the incident, Irfan recalled that the day before the attack, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) had summoned the shop owners, warning them to shut their shops and remain indoors. The DSP advised them to even leave town if possible, but if they stayed, they were told to avoid stepping out. “He told us that if we failed to follow his direction, he wouldn’t be held responsible for anything that could happen,” Irfan said. Despite the warning, the destruction unfolded before their eyes, and both of Irfan’s businesses were reduced to ashes. The estimated financial loss is believed to be around Rs 1.5 crore, though revenue officials have pegged it at Rs 80-90 lakh.
The economic fallout of the violence was severe, not only for business owners like Irfan but also for the workers who relied on these shops for their livelihoods. Twenty-five employees, including painters, electricians, and salespersons, found themselves suddenly unemployed. Some were forced to leave their homes in Jainoor and move to Adilabad in search of work. One such worker, Shaikh Mazhar, a painter, lost both his occupation and his home in the attacks. His family’s car was damaged, and his brother’s business venture, which had just started with a bank loan, was looted. With a pregnant wife and two children, Mazhar relocated to Adilabad, where he has been struggling to find work. We are managing by borrowing small amounts from others,” Mazhar said.
The violence has not only caused immediate economic devastation but also fostered a deeper sense of insecurity among the Muslim community. In some areas, Muslims are now facing an economic boycott. A weekly market held every Tuesday in Lingapur, 20 km from Jainoor, has been disrupted, as Muslims claim they were boycotted by the Gonds, who were allegedly instigated to prevent them from selling their goods. In an unexpected turn, however, the Lambadas, another local community, came out in support of the Muslims, declaring that they would not allow the market to function if Muslims were excluded. As a result, the market has been non-functional since the violence erupted.
Amid the turmoil, there have also been instances of solidarity. K. Srinivas, a representative of Telangana Adivasi Girijana Sangham, shared that in Lingapur mandal, a Muslim meat-seller who wanted to flee his village after the violence was encouraged by local Gonds to stay. The Gonds reassured him that he was safe and allowed him to continue his business.
Another incident during the violence illustrated the moral struggle some individuals faced. An Adivasi man, who joined a mob looting a shoe store, took home three pairs of shoes. However, guilt got the better of him, and he returned the stolen goods to the police station, unable to bear the burden of his actions.
While prohibitory orders have been lifted and life in Jainoor appears to be returning to normal, the road to recovery for the victims remains long and uncertain. Peace committee meetings and efforts by local authorities to restore law and order are underway, but rebuilding the fractured trust between communities will take time. The violence was initially sparked by an incident involving an Adivasi woman who was attacked by an auto driver. The woman has since recovered and been discharged from Gandhi Hospital, and she is now back at her home in Jainoor.
The economic and emotional recovery for Jainoor’s minorities, however, is far from complete. For those who have lost their businesses, homes, and livelihoods, the scars of the violence will take much longer to heal.