One dies in police firing in Hubli

By Our Special Correspondent

HUBLI, SEPT. 15. One person succumbed to injuries and four were injured when police opened fire here on Saturday to control the violence that broke out during the 75th birthday celebrations of Mr. Ashok Singhal, Working Chairman of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad International.

Tension gripped Hubli following incidents of arson and stone throwing.

According to reports, a shop adjacent to the Nehru Stadium, the venue of the celebrations, and a vehicle parked in the vicinity, were set on fire. This caused panic among people returning from the programme.

According to police, night curfew was being imposed in certain areas of Hubli.

Earlier, before the birthday celebration began, a vehicle and a shop were set ablaze on the busy Lamington Road.

Reports said trouble began when stones were thrown on persons participating in the ``Shoba Yatra'' organised as part of the celebrations at Ganeshpet and Durgadbail. Two persons were injured when police burst tear gas shells, and prohibitory orders were clamped. Despite the disturbances, the function to felicitate Mr. Ashok Singhal went on.

According to earlier reports, police opened fire in the Lamington Road area, when the processionists threw stones at them. Police did not allow some of the activists of the VHP and Bajrang Dal to hoist a flag at the controversial Idgah Maidan area in the heart of Hubli.

Trouble was also reported from the Station Road. As news about the skirmishes spread in the city, shopkeepers in the main market area closed their establishments.

It was said stone throwing was indulged in by splinter groups of processionists.

The Director-General of Police, Mr. V.V.Bhaskar, is rushing to Hubli.

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Section  : Southern States
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