51 held in Jodhpur as new Eidgah gates lead to communal violence
JODHPUR/JAIPUR: Construction of two gates on a mosque premises has triggered communal clashes, arson and stone-pelting in a locality in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, police said on Saturday, adding that 51 people have been detained and Section 144 has been imposed in parts of the district to maintain law and order.
Police said the clashes erupted late on Friday over the construction of two gates at the rear wall of the Eidgah in Soorsagar area of Jodhpur. “The dispute has been brewing for the last few days, but escalated on Friday evening when local residents protested against the inauguration of Eidgah gates. Police brought the situation under control around 9.30pm after talks with both the sides and closed the gates,” Jodhpur police commissioner Rajendra Singh said.
He added: “Around 10.15 pm, however, a group of 10 to 15 local Hindus started pelting stones at a Muslim locality near the Eidgah, triggering retaliation from the other side. Soon after, a mob set a local shop ablaze and vandalised two cars, including a police van. The incident left Chaupasni Housing Board police station inspector Nitin Dave and constable Shaitan Singh injured. Both have now been discharged.”
Deputy commissioner of police in Jodhpur, Sharad Chaudhary, said police immediately intervened by chasing the miscreants away with batons, and resorted to mild lathicharge. Around four to five rounds of tear gas were also fired at Vypariyon Ka Mohalla. “The situation was bought under control after nearly three to four hours,” he said.
Jodhpur East deputy commissioner of police Alok Shrivastava said Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in parts of Soorsagar. “Around 51 people have been detained so far, and further probe is underway,” he said.
Meanwhile, the police suo motu lodged an FIR against unidentified people under sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting with arms likely to cause death), 149 (unlawful assembly), 332 (voluntarily causing harm in order to deter a public worker from doing his duties) of the Indian Penal Code.