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Clash fallout: Shops closed in protest
THE SITUATION in the congested Ram Narayan Bazar, where communal tension erupted on Tuesday, is gradually coming back to normal. Members of a community who had refused ?Ganapati Visarjan? unless those responsible for the trouble were arrested, relented later in the evening. A badly injured boy admitted to LLR hospital was operated upon late on Tuesday night and his condition was reported to be stable.
THE SITUATION in the congested Ram Narayan Bazar, where communal tension erupted on Tuesday, is gradually coming back to normal. Members of a community who had refused ‘Ganapati Visarjan’ unless those responsible for the trouble were arrested, relented later in the evening. A badly injured boy admitted to LLR hospital was operated upon late on Tuesday night and his condition was reported to be stable.
Tempers ran high on Tuesday, in the aftermath of a clash between a few boys near the place where Ganapati celebrations were underway near Chirimar Gali late on Tuesday night.
The boys from Patkapur locality were assaulted and this evoked a sharp reaction from the other side. Hundreds of people from both sides gathered and brickbatting ensued. At least 15 people were injured in the 30-minute clash. The timely arrival of the police prevented the situation from going out of control, even as some political leaders stoked the flare-up.
BJP MLA Salil Vishnoi, senior party leader Neeraj Chaturvedi and many others reached the site, terming the violence a pre-planned move to disrupt the celebrations. Ganesh Mahotsava Sewa Samiti president Yogendra Nigam added fuel to the fire, saying the boys had actually molested a girl participating in the dance competition.
SP city president Nasiruddin and spokesman Mohd Ishaq blamed certain people associated with the Puja for the violence. They said the boys of Patkapur were being teased for two days. “When they reacted, they were deliberately beaten up mercilessly,” the SP leaders claimed. The situation worsened after the Samiti refused to carry the Ganesh idol to the river unless the culprits from the other side were arrested. The other community was restless following rumours of Meraj’s death.
The police officials somehow dispelled their apprehensions, saying Meraj’s operation by a panel of doctors was successful.
On Wednesday, all the markets in Chirimar Gali, Kursawan and Ram Narayan Bazar remained closed in protest.
ADM city Abrar Ahmed, SP city Sabharaj and others held several rounds of talks with the Ganesh Mahotsava Samiti. Consequently, the procession was taken out and it passed from Patkapur and mingled with a common procession to be taken out from Shivala.
A heavy police contingent has been deployed in and around Ram Narayan Bazar as a precautionary measure. The officials are specifically focussed on providing the best treatment to the injured boy Meraj, as they fear that any mishap can trigger serious trouble. However, after the operation, the doctors said though the condition was stable, the next 72 hours were crucial.
Meanwhile, Circle Officer (Kotwali) Rakesh Jolly said the troublemakers from both the sides had been identified and action would be initiated against them. “
A case has been registered against unnamed persons and investigations are on,” said Jolly.
