Rival groups clash over cartoon issue, ten injured

Muzaffarnagar, Feb 23 (UNI) As many as ten people were injured when rival groups clashed during a 'bandh' called here to protest the announcement by an Uttar Pradesh minister of Rs 51 crore bounty on the head of Danish cartoonist who lampooned Prophet Mohammed in his creation.

The strike call given by Sanyukth Hindu Sanghursh Samiti here saw thousands of activists stage protest demonstration on the Delhi-Dehradun national highway, where the speakers demanded that central and state government put an end to their policy of minority appeasement, police said here today.

The protest took an ugly turn with two rival groups indulging in firing and brick batting,that resulted in injuries to ten people.

Police in strength has been deployed in the area and 50 people arrested in connection with the violence.

The injured have been admitted to the hospital UNI XC-ARS VD GC2121