Ahmedabad, November 7
After a relative calm for the past few weeks here, violence broke out in the communally sensitive area of Jamalpur following Divali revelry last night in which seven persons were injured, some shops and houses gutted and vehicles damaged in arson.
The police had to open fire and lob teargas shells to bring the situation under control after two groups clashed and indulged in stone throwing and arson after the midnight, the police said. The injured included a woman.
Tension prevailed in the area, which had borne the maximum brunt of post-Godhra violence, but the situation was under control, Vikas Sahay, DCP, said here today.
Trouble broke out when a group of Divali revellers arrived near Gaekwad haveli and burst crackers provoking protest from another group.
There were reports of some shops being set on fire. Initial reports said three shops and a few houses were damaged.
Meanwhile, the city police has rounded up 15 persons belonging to both communities for interrogation in connection with the incident, described as communal violence.
Verbal altercation over clearing of bill at a roadside food joint and bursting of crackers were possible factors for the trouble which snowballed into “communal violence”, Mr Sahay said.
Hospital sources said three people had suffered burn injuries while others were being treated for teargas effects.
One person was in a critical condition, they said adding that a woman was being treated for psychological trauma.
Meanwhile, the full Election Commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner J.M. Lyngdoh will undertake a two-day visit to Gujarat from November 11 to review the arrangements, including the security preparedness, for the December 12 Assembly poll in the state.
PTI, UNI
