Two injured in a clash at city BJP's flag hoisting ceremony

Vadodara, Aug 15 (UNI) At least two people were injured in a clash between BJP workers and a group of angry protesters at an Independence Day flag hoisting ceremony at the BJP City office here today.

The trouble began when a group of about 30 Ambalal Park society residents, including women, tried to disrupt the flag hoisting ceremony of the BJP in protest against the arrest of 17 society residents earlier in the day for organising a tree plantation programme at a controversial plot of Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) in the posh Karelibaug area.

The residents of the society were immediately taken into custody as they violated the prohibitory orders. They were demanding that the plot should be earmarked for setting up a school or a garden instead of a housing project as proposed by the corporation.

Following the police action, a group of Karelibaug residents, shouted slogans against VMC and BJP leaders and marched in a procession to the City BJP office at Sayajigunj as the party leaders and workers were all set for their flag hoisting programme outside the office.

Clashes broke out after the protestors continued to shout slogans against VMC and BJP leaders for their alleged ''nexus'' in the land deal.

Police immediately swung into action and dispersed the angry demonstrators. Later, a delegation of the residents called on city BJP president Naran Patel and registered their strong protest against the alleged attack on them by the party workers.

However, no case was registered with the Sayajigunj police station in connection with the incident so far.

UNI