Tension prevails in Kolhapur Dist after two groups clash

Kolhapur, Sep 27 (UNI) Tension prevailed in Kagal tehsil town of the district today after a clash between two groups over the Lord Ganesh idol immersion, in which one youth received serious injuries.

Police sources said on Anant Chaturdashi night, a dispute took place between supporters of two groups -- one led by Prakash Gadekar and the other by Anil Chavan -- over the immersion of Ganesh idols.

This afternoon, a group led by Gadekar, chairman of the Kagal Municipal Council, and his supporters went to Chavan's house to seek explanation.

There was an exchange of words between the two, in which Gadekar fired a round in the air from his pistol and then his supporters began beating Chavan, the news of which spread fast in the town.

Following the beating, Chavan's supporters gathered in the main chowk to register their protest, where Gadekar's supporters were also present, resulting in tense situation. The police resorted to a mild lathi-charge to disperse the strong mob and control the situation.

Karvir divison DySP Prabhakar Patil among other top police officials, has reached the spot to maintain law and order, police sources said.

The situation in the politically sensitive tehsil town is tense but under control, with police accompanied by rapid action force personnel patrolling the town, they said adding the miscreants will be booked.

UNI