Communal clashes break out in Dhar dist, two injured

Two persons were severely injured after communal violence broke out at Gandhvani in Dhar district on Wednesday. Section 144 has been imposed in Gandhwani. in Dhar, five persons were injured and several shops damaged when Hindus and Muslims pelted stones at each other at Bhaurasa in Dewas district while a procession was taken out for immersion of a Durga idol on Wednesday evening.

Two persons were severely injured after communal violence broke out at Gandhvani in Dhar district on Wednesday. Section 144 has been imposed in Gandhwani. Meanwhile in Dhar, five persons were injured and several shops damaged when Hindus and Muslims pelted stones at each other at Bhaurasa in Dewas district while a procession was taken out for immersion of a Durga idol on Wednesday evening.

A shop burns during a communal violence in Gandhwani, Dhar district on Wednesday. (HT photo)

Additional superintendent of police Rai Singh Narwariya said trouble began after a `havan kund’ made in Garba chowk was damaged while a Tazia procession was passing by. Soon, groups led by Hindus and Muslims clashed during which victims Raju and Kabir were attacked with swords. One of them was referred to Barwani district hospital for treatment.

A section of miscreants torched some shops and a van. Heavy police force was deployed in Gandhvani while the fire brigade was called to douse flames. A police company of 34th SAP was sent to take stock of the situation.

5 hurt, shops damaged before idol immersion in Dewas

Five persons were injured and several shops damaged when Hindus and Muslims pelted stones at each other at Bhaurasa in Dewas district while a procession was taken out for immersion of a Durga idol on Wednesday evening.

Soon after people started pelting stones, shops downed shutters and police lobbed tear gas shells to control mob violence. Collector Ashutosh Avasthi and superintendent of police (SP) Shashikant Shukla reached the spot to take stock of the situation. Local MLA Rajendra Verma too reached the disputed area and appealed for restraint from people of both communities.

The immersion procession was taken out under police protection. Avasthi announced that `10,000 will be paid as compensation to each shopkeeper whose shop has been damaged.