The Hindu : Front Page : Rajasthan town clashes leave over 35 injured

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Sunday, Mar 23, 2008
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Rajasthan town clashes leave over 35 injured

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: Over 35 people were injured in clashes between two communities at Chittaurgarh, Rajasthan, on Saturday during Holi celebration. Curfew was clamped following the clashes and arson at 20 places in the town.

Communal violence broke out in Tonk too and five people, including three policemen, were injured. However, the situation was brought under control and security strengthened.

The trouble in Chittaurgarh started in the afternoon when an altercation the day before intensified and groups of Holi revellers and others started hurling stones at each other in the narrow alleys of the city.

Over a dozen shops and commercial establishments and some vehicles were torched.

The police fired rubber bullets on the crowd, burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse the violent mobs. Members of two communities fought reportedly with sharp-edged weapons.

Despite the curfew, incidents of people defying the order and clashing on roads were reported till late evening.

Police from Bhilwara and Udaipur districts were sent to the town and fire-tenders from a private cement manufacturing unit pressed into service.

Chittaurgarh Collector P.L. Agrawal said though the Friday’s tension subsided after the two sides reached a settlement, violence flared up during the Holi celebration.

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