By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Surat: Two persons were killed and about half-a-dozen others, including a senior police officer, were injured after an intense clash between two communities at Ambheta and Hansot villages near here on Wednesday.
Several properties were damaged and scores of vehicles were set afire. By late evening, although the clash was under control, the situation remained tense.
Contrasting reasons were offered by both the communities for the clash. The minority community alleged the police remained mute witness and also instigated rioters to vandalizing their properties.
A source from Ambheta, on conditions of anonymity, said the reason for the clash is an apparent spat between a tribal and a person from the minority community at Ambheta around noon. The matter soon escalated to Hansot where there was heavy stone pelting between the two communities.
With local police unable to control the situation, additional police force from Bharuch – abt 45 kms from Hansot – was brought in. Four rounds were fired in air and 15 tear gas shells were also lobbed to disperse the clashing crowd.
Sources claimed two persons were killed and at least half-a-dozen persons including deputy superintendent of police (DySP) were injured in the clash.
A Hansot resident alleged it was a “pre-planned” clash on part of the other community, apparently in retaliation to a huge rally by about 25,000 persons from the minority community to protest circulation of derogatory images hurting the religious sentiments on mobile application.
He further alleged police partiality and claimed, “Police provided free hand to them (people from other community) for vandalising our properties here. I heard police calling people to vandalize all things except our place of worship.”