Rajasthan: Tension in Bikaner town, indefinite curfew imposed

Members of two communities clashed during a religious procession in Sridungargarh here, prompting authorities to clamp indefinite curfew in the area.

Members of two communities clashed during a religious procession in Sridungargarh here, prompting authorities to clamp indefinite curfew in the area.

Three persons, including two policemen, were injured as the two sides indulged in stone pelting on Friday evening, district collector Poonam said.

The trouble started when a religious procession was crossing a shrine belonging to another community in Gusaisar village. The people in the shrine asked the other group to stop the music, but the latter did not relent which led to a confrontation, according to police and administration officials.

As violence broke out, additional security personnel were rushed to the area, police said, adding thatched roof portions of two shops were torched on Saturday by miscreants.

Indefinite curfew has been imposed in Sridungargarh to control the situation, the collector said.

Police have rounded up some people in connection with the violence. The situation is tense but under control, additional superintendent of police, Bikaner, Devendra Bishnoi said.

Senior police and administration officials are in the area and monitoring the situation.

Bikaner is about 340km from Rajasthan capital Jaipur.