Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Communal tensions broke out in three states during religious events on Thursday, with the situation in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh turning volatile over alleged vandalism at a Durga temple complex, leading to stone pelting and scuffles. On the other hand, Section 144, which bans large gatherings, was imposed in Karnataka’s Bagalkot after tensions flared when a Shivaji Jayanti procession was passing in front of a mosque. Around 400 km from Bagalkot, Hyderabad also witnessed a minor communal flare-up during Ramzan prayers on Thursday.
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However, in all three incidents, there were no casualties, and swift police action helped bring the situation under control.
WHAT HAPPENED IN JABALPUR?
Tension flared in Jabalpur’s sensitive Sihora tehsil on Thursday night after a Durga temple complex was allegedly vandalised, leading to clashes and stone-pelting between two groups. Locals said the incident happened when the evening aarti at the temple and prayers at a nearby mosque were taking place at the same time.
A youth allegedly damaged the grill of the temple, leading to an altercation. However, all hell broke loose soon, escalating into scuffles and stone pelting.
Police forces from nearby stations were rushed to the spot. Mild lathi-charge was used to disperse the protesters, even as tensions persisted on Friday. Security has been tightened in the area, with a huge police force being deployed near the temple and the mosque.
District Collector Raghavendra Singh and senior police officer Sampat Upadhyay said no religious structure was damaged and there were no reports of injuries. More than 15 people have been arrested, police said.
Locals said the Azad Chowk area has long been considered sensitive. The issue of the aarti and namaz timings coinciding at the temple and the adjacent mosque has been an issue previously as well. Presently, the situation is under control.
WHAT HAPPENED IN KARNATAKA?
In Karnataka’s Bagalkot, tensions flared after stones were pelted at a Shivaji Jayanti procession when the rally was passing in front of the Panka Masjid.
Hindu groups alleged that a stone was thrown from the mosque area, triggering unrest. One of the stones hit Superintendent of Police Siddharth Goyal, who suffered minor head injuries. “As the procession approached the mosque, two stones were thrown from a distance toward us,” Goyal told the media.
Another report said tensions erupted after a group of Muslims objected to a song played by the DJ, which included the line “mandir banayenge“, during the procession.
However, police intervened promptly, dispersing both groups. Section 144 has been imposed for the next four days in Bagalkot town, and eight people have been arrested in the stone pelting case. “We know who exactly pelted the two stones. The situation is now under control,” the Bagalkot SP said.
WHAT HAPPENED IN HYDERABAD?
In neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, a minor communal flare-up took place when a Shivaji Jayanti procession was passing a mosque during Ramzan prayers in Hyderabad’s Amberpet. The Muslim side objected to the loud music and sloganeering during the procession, leading to an argument and a brief scuffle.
Amberpet, which has around 30% Muslim population, is a communal tinderbox. Considering the sensitive nature, the police quickly reached the spot and dispersed the crowd. No injuries or damage to property were reported.
On Friday, additional police personnel were rushed to the area to prevent any escalation.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
