Communal tension: Prohibitory orders in MP town

Indore, Sep 24: Prohibitory orders have been imposed after communal tension was generated at this district's Betma town, 28 km from here, after sudden stone-pelting and arson while religious tableaux were being taken out during 'Dol Gyaras' (immersion ceremony).

Police lobbed tear gas canisters and lathicharged to control a mob last night. Twenty people were arrested. ''Members of two communities indulged in stone-pelting after a single stone was hurled at the Radha-Krishna tableaux. The situation is under control,'' said Inspector-General (Indore Range) Rajendra Kumar.

The stone-pelting injured half-a-dozen people. More than ten shops and a few vehicles were torched. Additional police personnel were stationed at Betma. Transport was affected on the Indore-Ahmedabad National Highway, which passes through the town that has been cordoned off.

UNI