Supporters of Shahi Imam and local MLA clash, some injured

New Delhi, Sept 15 (UNI) Tension prevailed in the old walled city area of Central Delhi this afternoon after clashes broke out between supporters of local MLA and the Shahi Imam soon after afternoon prayers near Jama Masjid.

Sources said trouble began after local MLA Shoaib Iqbal made a speech near Jama Masjid, condemning Pope Benedict's speech which criticised Islam, and during which some unsavoury remarks were also made against the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid Syed Ahmad Bukhari.

Almost at this time the Imam began the 'takrir' from the Masjid premises after the 'Friday namaz' leading to exchange of allegations and counter allegations between the two 'parties' -- Shoaib Iqbal and Shahi Imam.

Soon some Imam supporters came out and beat up Iqbal's supporters, who were with him, which led to a clash between the two groups.

About half-a-dozen people were injured in the clashes.

This was followed by stone-pelting from some rooftops in the area after which the MLA's supporters also retaliated. The brick-batting continued for several hours during which police had to resort to tear-gassing.

However, situation failed to return to normal till evening as slogan shouting and sporadic brick-batting between the MLA and Imam's supporters continued, even as police supplemented deployment with additional forces and Rapid Action Force.

Imam's brother Yahya Bukhari told UNI he was not present when the incident took place but from what he heard from his people, trouble started after Iqbal made some unwarranted remarks about the Imam.

''By the time I returned there was brick-batting and slogan shouting, which is continuing.'' There seems to be some misunderstanding which led to the clashes, he said, adding ''We have no enmity with Shoaib Iqbal and I believe he has been misguided by somebody.'' A spokesman of Muslim Democratic Forum (MDF), of which Shoaib Iqbal is the chairman, said former area councillor Hafiz Salimuddin was injured in the 'attack' by the the Imam's supporters after the MLA asked the Imam to stop his speech so that he could continue with his own while asking him to step down as Imam of the mosque.

''A report had been lodged with the police at Jama Masjid police station.'' While senior police officials refused to come on the line, sources in the police said some enforcements had been made since morning, going by the history of the area and the present 'hot issue', but additional forces were rushed after about 1400 hrs when brick-batting between the two groups began.

Additional police force along with the Rapid Action Force have been deployed and a strict vigil was being kept in order to prevent the situation from getting worse, sources added.

By evening Shoaib Iqbal sat on a 'dharna', along with his supporters, to protest the 'attack' on his supporters while demanding that action be taken against the Imam.

UNI AN VD HS2101