Rioting mars revelry, 4 hurt

VADODARA: Navratri festivities began on a violent note in the walled city areas, resulting in injuries to four persons in heavy rioting that broke out in the communally sensitive Fatehpura, Hathikhana and Kumbharwada localities on Thursday. Mobs belonging to two communities resorted to stone-pelting and indulged in rioting after a man posted an image of a holy structure superimposed with that of another religion on his Facebook account.Angry mobs ransacked several shops in Hathikhana and also set at least 10 two-wheelers on fire. Police lobbed over a dozen teargas shells in Fatehpura, Hathikhana and Kumbharwada areas to disperse the rioting mobs.
Heavy police force was deployed in these areas to avert any untoward incident even as some members of the Muslim community met city police commissioner E Radhakrishanan to complain against Sunil, a private tuition teacher. "I assured them prompt action and also asked the police to call Sunil for questioning. The group that came to meet me left soon after," Radhakrishanan told TOI.
Cops said some members of the group met with an accident with a lawyer outside Nyay Mandir when they were returning after meeting Radhakrishanan. Heated arguments followed between them soon and led to clashesbetween lawye-rs and members of the group. Advocate Hitesh Pandya suffered injuries while some vehicles were damaged. Radhakrishna said this brawl led to rioting in Hathikhana and Kumbharwada.
The Fatehpura area, on the other hand, witnessed tense moments when the police came to pick up Sunil from his residence in Rawat Sheri. A angry mob from the minority community soon ransacked Sunil's house and tuition classroom. The mob also resorted to stone-pelting to protest against Sunil's act. Sunil was arrested and Radhakrishna said more will be heldwithin the next few days.
Senior police officials said that the Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been deployed in the areas that witnessed riots. The cops are ensuring that peace prevails during Navratri in the old city areas that sees many sheri garbas.