Tension in Chhindwara, curfew

Chhindwara(MP), Oct 4: Indefinite curfew was promulgated in Chhindwara town in Madhya Pradesh early this morning as tension arose after attempt to disrupt communal harmony by desecrating places of worship and attacking a religious procession last night.

Heavy police bandobast has been made in the town to ward off further trouble, official sources said.

Tension arose after an objectionable object was thrown at a Durga procession at Diwanjipura and the faithfuls halted the procession and sought action against the guilty. The district authorities succeeded to persuade the agitated people to resume the procession.

After some time, some miscreants threw an objectionable item at a place of worship of another community, sparking loud protests with the mob resorting to slogan shouting. Tension was eased to some extent with the district officials persuading people to maintain calm.

However, attempt to desecrate another place of worship in Golganj area heightened tension in the town.

Initially prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC were imposed and later indefinite curfew was clamped in the wee hours.

A holiday has been declared for all educational institutions in the town today. Distribution of milk was disrupted as curfew remained in force.

UNI