Gazi Abbas Shahid
Starting as a ground reporter back in his home UT of Jammu and Kashmir, Gazi has been a part of the news industry for well over a decade. While he finds every type of news engrossing, politics, partic ... Read More
Jodhpur Communal Clash: Tensions gripped the Soorsagar locality in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan on Saturday following overnight communal clashes which erupted in the area after a row between two communities over the construction of a gate at the local eidgah.
The dispute sparked a violent clash between the two communities with a raging mob hurling stones at the police, injuring two personnel and damaging vehicles.
As per the police, a heated confrontation took place between people belonging to two communities over the construction of a gate in the backside of an eidgah near Rajaram Circle in the Soorsagar area.
The confrontation soon turned violent when the construction began on Friday night as locals resorted to stone-pelting, arson and vandalism, they said, adding that residents of one community had opposed the construction of the gate stating that it would increase the movement of people in that area.
Visuals shared on social media showed a mob hurling stones as police personnel try to bring the situation under control.
Violence erupted between Hindus and Muslims in the Sursagar area of Jodhpur.
Tensions arose from a 15-year-old agreement made between the two communities over a disputed piece of land.
The Muslim side began construction of gates from the Eidgah located at Rajaram square. When… pic.twitter.com/izczAHUYSo
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) June 22, 2024
Police Commissioner Rajendra Singh said that the situation is under control and police have been deployed in the entire area, adding that restrictions have been imposed and 51 people have been arrested so far in connection with the violence.
“We have imposed section 144 and have arrested 51 people so far,” the officer said.
Giving details, Jodhpur West DCP Rajesh Kumar Yadav said tension escalated on Friday night and some people pelted stones, injuring two police officers.
The rioters also resorted to arson and vandalism as they torched a shop and a tractor and vandalised a police jeep, the officer said.
DCP Yadav said the police resorted to baton charge and tear gas shelling to disperse the mob, adding that the cops came under a barrage of stones from the rioters, which blocked their advancement for a moment.
He said the police had brokered a brief truce with the help of senior members from both communities but sudden stone-pelting turned the situation tense again.
Police said tones were pelted from houses in the areas including Vyapariyon ka Mohalla, Ambon ka Bagh and Subhash Chowk.
Efforts are on to identify the houses from where stones were thrown at the police when they tried to disperse the mob.
By late Friday night, the situation was brought under control but the area remained tense. Heavy police and Rajasthan Armed Constabulary forces continue to be deployed on Saturday morning to maintain law and order.
Police Commissioner Rajendra Singh said two FIRs were filed based on complaints from both sides.
Police said people from both sides have been taken into custody and teams are still raiding houses in the locality to apprehend suspects.
They said that the police have also filed a case in the matter under provisions of law, including perpetrating violence, causing interference in the government’s work, damaging public property, disturbing communal harmony and rioting.
(With PTI inputs)
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