BJP-BJ clash in MP

Jabalpur, Oct 1 (UNI) Nine people have been injured by firing and arson during a clash between Madhya Pradesh's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers and their Bharatiya Janshakti (BJ) counterparts over the site for installing an idol of Goddess Durga at Narsinghpur district's Gotegaon.

Furnishing details of last night's incident, Deputy Inspector-General (Jabalpur Range) D Srinivas Rao told UNI, ''BJP workers gathered to select the site in the bus stand area.'' Some youths owing allegiance to the BJ came on the scene and the dispute ensued. Later, the saffron party workers reached the residence of BJP district General Secretary Mohan Singh Patel. A few members of the other group also went there and attacked the place.

One of the groups damaged some parked two-wheelers.

Mr Patel's sons Prahlad, Devendra and Kamal were among those hurt by use of stones, a gun and other weapons. The injured included workers of both parties.

''A case was lodged against about 40 people including Mukesh, Rajesh Jain and Annu Thakur who are absconding,'' said Gotegaon's Sub-Divisional Officer (Police) R S Tiwari. The victims were rushed to the Medical College Hospital here. Assembly Speaker Ishwardas Rohani and Minister of State H S Babbu visited the hospital.

Gotegaon is the native place of BJ General Secretary Prahlad Patel and his MLA brother Jalam Singh Patel. Some months back, state Health Minister Ajay Vishnoi's convoy was stoned in Narsinghpur district in the period following the former chief minister Uma Bharti-led BJ's formation.

UNI