Clashes in Jodhpur on Eid: Many Detained, Curfew in 10 Localities
The BJP in Rajasthan condemned the violence and demanded that CM Ashok Gehlot step down from his post.
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Clashes that broke out between two communities on Monday, 2 May, allegedly after a dispute over religious flags in Jodhpur's Jalori Gate area, continued on Tuesday even as the police tried to bring the situation under control.
With the internet suspended in the city and a curfew being imposed in at least 10 police station limits, several people have been detained in connection with the unrest. Internet restrictions have been imposed in the district till midnight.
On Tuesday morning, miscreants broke the window panes of more than a dozen vehicles in Jodhpur, and vandalism was reported in several ATMs as well.
At least four policemen and several other people were injured on Monday in the clashes that broke out as the city geared up for celebrations for both Eid al-Fitr and the Parshuram Jayanti festival.
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
What Happened?
According to sources, the dispute allegedly began after a religious flag was raised on the statue of freedom fighter Balmukund Bissa at the Jalori Circle.
A group of people also objected to the loudspeakers that were erected at several places in the area ahead of Eid, sources said, following which several religious flags and loudspeakers were forcefully removed.
However, the Rajasthan Police is yet to clarify what the exact cause of the dispute is.
The police on Monday fired tear-gas shells and resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd that also allegedly attacked a local police post.
The four policemen were reportedly injured after stones were pelted on them in the early hours of Tuesday, 3 May.
CM Gehlot Appeals for Peace
As the situation remained tense, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday held a high-level meeting with top state officials regarding the law and order situation in the wake of the clashes.
Gehlot earlier took to Twitter to appeal for maintaining peace and upholding law and order.
Calling the tensions 'unfortunate', Gehlot said that "the administration has been instructed to maintain peace and order at all costs."
Gehlot, whose birthday is on 3 May, has called off all scheduled birthday celebrations in light of the violence in Jodhpur.
BJP Blames Cong Govt and 'Appeasement Politics'
Commenting on the clashes in Jodhpur, Rajasthan BJP chief Satish Poonia was quoted by ANI as saying, "Due to appeasement politics, the law and order situation is disturbed in the state. It was clear from the Karauli incident that such incidents are done under government protection."
Poonia further asked, "Why does this type of incident happen only during Congress rule?"
Meanwhile, Arjun Ram Meghwal, BJP MP from Bikaner slammed the Gehlot-led government and said that communal violence has been worsening in the state. He demanded that CM Gehlot take responsibility of the incident and step down from his post.
He tweeted in Hindi, "Congress government with such corrupt and ill-tempered mentality has no right to remain in power. If there is any trace of morality left, then the head of the Home Department, Ashok Gehlot ji, should immediately resign from his post.
Union Minister and Jodhpur MP Gajendra S Shekhawat said on Tuesday that the law and order situation in Rajasthan was in disarray and warned that if the administration failed to take action, then he would hold a massive protest at Jalori Gate in Jodhpur.
He said, "What happened at the time of morning Namaz that immediately afterward cars were vandalised, houses were pelted with stones, women were insulted in Jodhpur. Police did not take any pre-emptive steps to prevent this."
(With inputs from ANI and PTI.)
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