Prohibitory orders in MP town after communal tension

Indore, Sep 24 (UNI) 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