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Fresh clash erupts in curfew-bound Sriganganagar

Jaipur, January 10
A fresh clash had erupted between people of two localities in curfew-bound areas of Srigangangar district in Rajasthan, forcing police to use batons to quell the mob, a police official said today.

A day after locals protesting the murder of a photographer clashed with police leaving 20 injured, hundreds of people of two slum localities indulged in pitched battle with sticks and pelted stones on each other near Chajgaria Mohalla this morning despite curfew and heavy force deployment, Superintendent of Police, Sriganganagar, Saurabh Srivastava has told PTI over telephone.

“Police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the mob,” he said, adding the situation was tense, but under control. There was so far no report of any casualty in today's clash, he added.

One of the slum dwellers were demanding removal of illegally encroached Chajgaria Mohalla, while opponents were trying to defend their existence, the SP said, adding both belonged to a Scheduled Caste community. “Twenty-four persons were arrested in today's incident, and extra policemen of the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary were deployed to strengthen security and maintain law and order situation,” the SP said.

No relaxation in curfew could be expected in such a situation during the day in Jawaharnagar and Sadar area, he said.

At least 20 persons, including 15 policemen, were injured yesterday when locals clashed with police protesting the murder of the photographer Ramlal Khumar there on Saturday night by unknown assailants, which prompted authorities to clamp curfew.