Jodhpur, Communal violence broke out in a locality in Soorsagar area over the construction of a gate at an eidgah, police said on Saturday. Two police officers, among several people, were injured in the confrontation.
So far, 51 people have been arrested in connection with Friday night's violence, police commissioner Rajendra Singh said, adding that prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed in areas under six police stations.
Rajesh Kumar Yadav, DCP of Jodhpur West, said the clash began on Friday night over the construction of a gate at the back of an eidgah near Rajaram Circle in Soorsagar. Tension increased and some people threw stones, injuring two police officers.
Local residents opposed the construction of the gate at the back of the eidgah saying it would increase the movement of people in that area.
According to the police, the work began on Friday night. The subsequent confrontation turned violent with stone throwing, arson and vandalism.
"A shop and a tractor were set on fire and a jeep was vandalized," a senior police officer said.
DCP Yadav said the police dispersed people to their houses using batons and fired 4-5 rounds of tear gas.
As they charged into the crowd, the police had to contend with a barrage of stones thrown at them, which momentarily blocked their progress.
The police also achieved a brief peace with the help of senior members of both communities, but a sudden stone-pelting once again tense the situation.
According to police, stones were pelted from houses in areas like Vyapariyon ka Mohalla, Ambon ka Bagh and Subhash Chowk.
Efforts are being made to identify the houses from where stones were pelted at the police while trying to disperse the mob, they said.
The police commissioner said the situation is under control and police have been deployed throughout the area. Two FIRs were lodged based on complaints from both parties.
"We have imposed section 144 of the CRPC and so far we have arrested 51 people," he said.
Police said people from both sides were detained and teams are still raiding houses in the town to arrest the suspects.
The police have lodged another FIR under various provisions of the law, including perpetrating violence, causing interference in government work, damaging public property, disturbing community harmony and rioting, they said.
So far, 51 people have been arrested in connection with Friday night's violence, police commissioner Rajendra Singh said, adding that prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed in areas under six police stations.
Rajesh Kumar Yadav, DCP of Jodhpur West, said the clash began on Friday night over the construction of a gate at the back of an eidgah near Rajaram Circle in Soorsagar. Tension increased and some people threw stones, injuring two police officers.
Local residents opposed the construction of the gate at the back of the eidgah saying it would increase the movement of people in that area.
According to the police, the work began on Friday night. The subsequent confrontation turned violent with stone throwing, arson and vandalism.
"A shop and a tractor were set on fire and a jeep was vandalized," a senior police officer said.
DCP Yadav said the police dispersed people to their houses using batons and fired 4-5 rounds of tear gas.
As they charged into the crowd, the police had to contend with a barrage of stones thrown at them, which momentarily blocked their progress.
The police also achieved a brief peace with the help of senior members of both communities, but a sudden stone-pelting once again tense the situation.
According to police, stones were pelted from houses in areas like Vyapariyon ka Mohalla, Ambon ka Bagh and Subhash Chowk.
Efforts are being made to identify the houses from where stones were pelted at the police while trying to disperse the mob, they said.
The police commissioner said the situation is under control and police have been deployed throughout the area. Two FIRs were lodged based on complaints from both parties.
"We have imposed section 144 of the CRPC and so far we have arrested 51 people," he said.
Police said people from both sides were detained and teams are still raiding houses in the town to arrest the suspects.
The police have lodged another FIR under various provisions of the law, including perpetrating violence, causing interference in government work, damaging public property, disturbing community harmony and rioting, they said.
