Total bandh observed in Chittorgarh's Begu town

Jaipur, Mar 19(UNI) A total bandh was observed today in Begu in Chittorgarh district, which witnessed communal violence following stoning of the traditional 'Gair' procession.

However, the situation was tense but under contro. police said.

Prohibitory orders were still in force and and an additional company of RAC jawans was called in from Kota to assist the district administration to maintain law and order.

According to police, shops and business establishments in the town were closed for the day after stone pelting and arson broke out between two communties during the traditional Gair procession on 'Rang Teres' on Saturday.

However, district Police Superintendent Rajendra Singh Chaudhary said the functioning of the schools was not disturbed by the bandh. He said the situation was tense but slowly limping back to normalcy as no fresh violence was reported from any part of the city.

About 20 shops including kiosks were gutted in arson and violence following the stoning of the procession.

Mr Chaudhary said that in an operation launched by police to seize illegal possessions, eleven swords were recovered from the house of a person named Fajalu.

Senior police officials including Udaipur IG was camping in the area, he informed.

The district administraion had clamped prohibitory orders and taken into custody 64 people from both the communities relating to the violence.

Till now, the police have registered only three cases in connection with the incidents.

UNI