Four killed, 40 injured as riots rock Vadodara, curfew in six areas

Vadodara, May 1 (UNI) At least four people were killed and 25 injured in widespread violence that engulfed the walled city today, when members of a community clashed with the police and municipal staff over the demolition of a century-old dargah a little before noon.

While two of those killed succumbed to bullet injuries, two others died of stab wounds, Collector Rajiv Topno confirmed this evening.

The injured included two photogaphers and a cameraman of a TV news channel and 12 policemen, including a sub-inspector.

Police had resort to heavy firing (30-40 rounds) after baton charge and bursting of teargas shells failed to contain the rampaging mob.

As reports of widespread violence continued to pour in from different parts of the city till late evening, Rapid Action Force (RAF) was requisitioned and five more police stations--Panigate, Wadi, Navapura, Raopura and Karelibag--besides City police station were brought under indefinite curfew as a precautionary measure.

Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad Hospital Medical Superintendent S D Saxena told UNI that 16 people were admitted with bullet injuries. Several of them were in critical condition.

Meanwhile, Minister of Stater for Home Amit Shah reached the city and was closetted with the Collector and Police commissioner Deepak Swaroop and other senior officials.

Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal and Leader of the Opposition in State Assembly ARjun Modhvadia are expected to arrive here later this evening.

The trouble began when the Vadodara Municipal Corporation squad and the police reached Fatehpura to demolish the dargah, which was encroaching the road near the historic Champaner Gate.

The Collector and the Mayor justified the demolition drive to clear the encroachments.

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