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Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008
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Group clash in Ahmedabad

Manas Dasgupta

It all began with an accident

The trouble started on Sunday evening
It began afresh on Monday morning

AHMEDABAD: The police fired five rounds in the air and burst over two dozen teargas shells to quell clashes between two groups at Shahpur and Dariapur here on Monday.

The police said the trouble started on Sunday evening following a tiff over an accident between two-wheelers in Shahpur, which were driven by the members of two communities.

The heated exchanges between the two drivers attracted a large number of people from both sides. Soon, stone-throwing began.

The police intervened and brought the situation under control on Sunday night.

But on Monday morning, members of the rival communities came out on the streets and resorted to stone-pelting again.

Further trouble

The arrest of 26 persons from Shahpur and Dariapur areas on charges of rioting caused further trouble as a large number of men, women and children were out on the streets demanding release of those detained.

The crowd pelted stones on the police and two police personnel sustained head injuries.

Tension spread to nearby Delhi Chakla, Dariapur and other adjoining areas.

As pitched battle continued throughout the day between the two communities and also with the police, the police first burst 26 teargas shells and later fired five rounds in the air to disperse violent mobs.

Nine injured in stone-throwing

Nine people were injured in stone-throwing and police arrested another 18 persons for rioting.

Later in the evening, the police claimed that the situation was “under control.” But tension continued to prevail between the two communities and strong police contingents have been posted in the affected areas to maintain the law and order.

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