Jammu, Sep 25 (IANS) Celebrations of Indian victory over archrivals Pakistan in the Twenty20 World Championships took an ugly turn in Jammu and Kashmir’s border town of Rajouri when two groups scuffled, triggering communal clashes. At least 20 people were reported injured in the scuffle, police said.
The revelry began in Rajouri soon after India clinched the nail-biting final against Pakistan Monday evening. People gathered on the streets to celebrate. However, some miscreants threw stones at the crowd leading to pitched battles between Hindus and Muslims.
Police had to fire in the air to disperse the crowd.
“At least 20 people were injured including superintendent of police Tej Ram Katoch,” the deputy inspector general of police in Rajouri-Poonch told IANS.
The tension flared up again Tuesday morning, when Hindus and Muslims came to blows once more. Police shot teargas shells and opened fire in the air but the clashes continued.
Meanwhile, police also had to cane charge a huge crowd of students in Jammu, who were protesting against alleged pro-Pakistan elements who were “harassing” them.