1 killed, several injured as communal clashes erupt in 3 Gujarat districts on Ram Navami
India Today
Ram Navami celebrations in Gujarat took a violent turn on Sunday after communal clashes were reported in three districts, leaving one person dead and many injured.
Ram Navami celebrations in Gujarat took a violent turn on Sunday after communal clashes were reported in three districts, leaving one person dead and many injured. As Sabarkantha, Anand and Dwarka burned, police arrested nine people and took measures to reign in the violence.
Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi called a meeting of top police officials in Gandhinagar to review the situation in the violence-hit districts. A high level inquiry has been launched in the matter.
In the Himmatnagar area of Sabarkantha, a rath yatra was organised on the occasion of Ram Navami. However, miscreants allegedly pelted the procession with stones and burned down the rath. In retaliation, several vehicles and shops were torched.
Over 10 police personnel were injured in the violence, which was brought under control using tear gas shells, officials said. Several teams of SRP, rapid action force and extra units of Gujarat Police have been deployed. Police carried out a flag march and said the situation was tense but under control.
READ | Communal clashes erupt during Ram Navami rallies in 4 states, 1 dead in Gujarat
Section 144 of CrPC, which prohibits gathering of more than five people, is in force in sensitive areas of the town, including Chhaparia locality where arson took place. As a precautionary measure, several schools have been shut down in the area where the clashes took place.
In Anand district, riots erupted in Khambat where a procession was taken out. Again, it has been alleged that stone pelting happened on the procession. A 65-year-old man was killed in the ensuing violence. Prohibitory orders are in force in the town.
