M A I N   N E W S

Land dispute triggers arson in Palwal’s Hathin
Bijendra Ahlawat
Tribune News Service

Palwal, November 12
The district administration today imposed curfew in Hathin after members of two communities indulged in rioting and arson over a disputed site last night.

The Deputy Commissioner’s official car was set ablaze as miscreants damaged houses, shops and vehicles in several parts of the town.

While one person was arrested, around 80 persons were booked in four FIRs lodged by the police.

Several companies of the Haryana Police, Rapid Action Force and India Reserve Battalion have been deployed in the town. Violence erupted after members of a community arrived at a disputed site adjacent to a religious place last evening. The two sides clashed after members of the other community asked them to leave the area. The clashes continued till early in the morning.

Around 15 shops, a few houses and a petrol station were targeted during the rioting. At least seven private vehicles were damaged or set ablaze. The official vehicle of Deputy Commissioner Makrand Pandurang was torched near Jayanti Mor. He had gone there to take stock of the situation.

Inspector General of Police (Rewari Range) Mamta Singh held a meeting of officials concerned. The state government rushed in around 10 companies of Haryana Police, IRB and the RAF to the town. Additional police force was requisitioned from Faridabad, Gurgaon, Narnaul, Rewari, Jhajjar and Sonepat. The security forces later held a flag march in the town.

“We have lodged four FIRs against 80 persons. Of them, one — Navin Kumar — has been arrested,” said a spokesperson for the district police. The accused have been booked under relevant Sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act.

Tension prevailed in the area, as district authorities held a meeting with prominent members of both communities this evening appealing for calm.

Pandurang said the curfew had been imposed as a preventive measure and that it would be relaxed as soon as the situation improved. Members of both communities have assured the administration of cooperation in reducing tension.

The dispute

• In October, members of a community begin work on extending premises of a religious structure near the Old Police Station
• Clashes erupt after members of another community allegedly pull down the wall around the site on the night of October 5
• The two sides agree to stay away from the disputed site till the matter is resolved
• The office of local CIA wing is located near the site.