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Communal conflict in Phagwara: Muslims, Sikhs unite to take on Shiv Sena, dozens left injured
Aggrieved by the disruption of Amarnath Yatra in Jammu & Kashmir, Sena had launched a massive protest in Phagwara, forcing Muslims to shut down their shops.
Phagwara (Punjab), July 23: Situation turned volatile in the Punjabi town of Phagwara on Friday, when Muslims, supported by some Sikhs, took on hardline Hindutva activists of Shiv Sena. Party’s state vice president Inderjit Karwal, along with other Shiv Sena activists clashed with the group of Muslims led by cleric Uvais-ur-Rehman. At least dozens were left injured as both sides continued to pelt stones at each other for nearly an hour. The situation is still grim in the region. Police has imposed section 144 in several areas to prevent tensions from escalating.
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According to sources, fanatic volunteers of Shiv Sena were the reason why the issue turned into a communal conflict. Aggrieved by the disruption of Amarnath Yatra in Jammu & Kashmir, Sena had launched a massive protest in Phagwara, forcing Muslim shopkeepers to shut down their shops.
This hooliganism was objected by Uvais-ur-Rehman, who was scheduled to submit a memorandum before the police after the congregational prayers of Friday afternoon. During the prayer, Shiv Sena activists gathered outside the Jama Masjid and began raising provocative slogans. They shouted anti-Pakistan rants and vociferously chanted Bharat Mata ki Jai slogan.
Following the prayers, the Muslim group confronted them outside the mosque, which led to a heated debate and subsequent clashes. The situation turned even more volatile when local Sikh youth joined the Muslims and began attacking the Shiv Sena workers by throwing sharp objects at them. Phagwara SP Ajinder Singh and DSP Harkanwal Preet Chahal rushed to the crime scene and controlled the situation before it could escalate into a communal riot.
A complaint was lodged by Uvais-ur-Rehman against Shiv Sena leadet Inderjit Karwal for allegedly stoking unrest in the region.
Shiv Sena has given a call for bandh on Saturday to ‘protest the police action against Shiv Sena volunteers’. Party’s sate unit president Yog Raj has demanded the transfer of SP and DSP for allegedly favouring the Muslims.
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