The Hindu : National : Cricket revelry takes an ugly turn, situation tense

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Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007
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Cricket revelry takes an ugly turn, situation tense

Staff Reporter

At least 25 people were injured in communal clashes in Rajouri

Rajouri: As the rest of the country celebrated India’s victory in the Twenty20 World Cup, the revelry took an ugly turn here as communal riots broke out resulting in at least 25 people being injured.

The situation remained tensed but under control on Tuesday . There are conflicting versions of the reasons for the tension. Muslim community members allege that on Monday a group of people started bursting crackers outside the mosque near the bus stand in the heart of the town.

Repeated requests were made by devotees not to disturb them. As the requests fell on deaf ears, an argument started between the two communities triggering clashes.

Hindu community members allege that without any provocation members of their community were attacked. As both sides came to blows, the police intervened. Several police personnel including Superintendent of Police T R Katoch were injured in the process.

Rajouri-Poonch DIG, P.R. Minhas, told The Hindu that the police promulgated an order under Section 144, whereby, no group would be allowed to act in a manner which threatens the law and order of the place. Prohibitory orders have been imposed and CRPF and paramilitary forces have been deployed in the town .

Mr. Minhas said, “We have registered a case and investigations are going on. Our top priority is to maintain peace in the area and bring the situation to normality.”

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