30 people taken into custody as curfew remains in Rajasthan’s Banswara district

The groups have been at loggerheads over a disputed religious site in Kalika Mata area

More than 30 people have been arrested in curfew-bound Kotwali police station area of Rajasthan’s Banswara district where communal violence broke out on Thursday.

The situation is under control but the curfew has not been relaxed. (HT Representative Photo)

“We have taken three dozen people of both the sides into custody on Friday following tension in the city. Several incidents of arson were reported in the region since Thursday night,” Banswara superintendent of police Kaluram Rawat said.

The situation is under control but the curfew has not been relaxed, he said.

According to sources, the groups have been at loggerheads over a disputed religious site in Kalika Mata area.

The groups had clashed with each other when ‘Shab-e- Baraat’ procession was passing by the locality around 11pm on Thursday.

According to police, members of both the sides again pelted stones, and torched houses and vehicles yesterday.

“A meeting with senior members of both the communities was held last night. They assured their support to restore peace and communal harmony and spoke to their people. The situation is under control now although heavy deployment of police personnel is there,” Rawat said.

Another official said the situation will be reviewed for relaxation in curfew after noon.