By special arrangement
Yesterday it was the last day of the Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi and an unprovoked attack was done by the Majority community here when the procession passed through the Muslim dominated ‘Fatehpura’ area.
The Champaner Masjid which is at the ‘Champaner Gate’, north of the city was attacked and the door was broken, also the minarets were damaged. The local police station is just 8 feet off the wall of the masjid.
Slide show of Vadodara violence:
Reports from Vadodra said that police firing led to the death of one person and injury to 8 others. All of them are Muslims. One 25 years old died while 8 were injured. Four of the injured were in serious condition and had to be operated upon. Two are still in critical condition including a 15-year-old boy.
Among the injured are 58-year-old Rafiq, who is a passerby and a 19 year old who was shot in the back.
A woman who was locking her door was stabbed. A mobile shop that was between the mosque and the police station was looted and later burnt. Mobile shop shared a wall with the police station.
Local Muslim leaders had tried talking to the Police commissioner, but he refused to take the responsibility of police firings. In fact it has yet to release a press note that police indeed fires the shots.
Injured have been admitted to the SSG Hospital. The hospital has made good arrangement for the treatment of the wounded. Doctors and nurses are taking care of them properly.
According to the latest report from the city, situation is completely under control. The affected area has almost returned to normal life. Markets are open. People and traffic are moving on the road. No report of violence has been reported since last night when the last case was brought to notice at 11 pm.