Two groups clash in Anand

Anand, Mar 15 (UNI) Two groups indulged in heavy stone-pelting following a heated argument today at Petlad town, 25 km from here.

Police said Satiruddin Kalimuddin Qazi who was riding his motorcycle this afternoon with Allarakha Javed at the pillion was stopped by Chandubhai Atanawallah and five others who beat them up after a heated argument.

Soon the word spread and the two communities (Hindu, Muslim) came face to face and there was indiscriminate stone-pelting. Petlad town police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

Following the incident, Kansara Bazaar, Vavadi Bazaar and Choksi Bazaar were closed immediately. All offices were closed too.

Parents rushed to schools to fetch their wards appearing for SSC and HSC exams.

Satiruddin was hurt in both his knees whereas Allarakha was hit in the eye. Both of them have been hospitalised.

Both the groups have filed cross-complaints and the Petlad police have registered a case under sections 143, 147, 148, 323 and 337 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and under Bombay Police Act 135.

However, police are yet to ascertain the exact cause of the argument.

UNI