Nine persons were arrested on Monday for their alleged involvement in violence during a procession on Ram Navami in Gujarat’s Khambhat on Sunday. A 65-year-old man was killed and another injured in the communal clashes there.
Another city in North Gujarat, Himmatnagar, also witnessed violence between members of two communities during a similar event. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Cr.PC have been imposed in the city.
The State authorities have deployed additional police forces in both towns to maintain peace.
In Khambhat, the local police have also lodged two separate FIRs in connection with Sunday’s violence. More arrests are likely, police officials said.
In Himmatnagar, after stone-throwing, shops and vehicles were torched by the rioters.
Following the communal clashes in the two towns, Gujarat’s Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi held a meeting of the top Home department and police officials and directed them to take stern action against those who try to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the State.
In both places, the clashing groups indulged in stone-throwing and arson prompting the police to lob tear-gas shells to bring the situation under control.
“The body of an unidentified man was recovered from the spot in Khambhat, where two groups threw stones at each other after a clash broke out between them during a Ram Navami procession,” Anand district Superintendent of Police Ajeet Rajyan said. “Another person was injured and a few shop cabins were set on fire during the incident,” he said.
According to the the SP, the person whose body was found appears to have died due to the injuries he suffered during the clash. Investigation into the incident is underway.
A similar clash was reported in Himmatnagar and police had to use tear gas shells to control the violent mob that damaged some vehicles and shops.
“Two groups clashed and threw stones at each other over a Ram Navami procession. Some persons were hit by stones. But the situation was brought under control in some time,” Vishal Vaghela, Sabarkantha’s Superintendent of Police, said. The rioters also torched 4-5 vehicles and a similar number of shops in the town located 65 km north of the State capital Gandhinagar.
