Communal clash in Jeypore;Curfew clamped

Jeypore, Orissa, Aug 30 (UNI) Curfew was clamped in this small town today after a violent mob went berserk, attacking police station, setting afire churches and damaging several vehicles.

Police had to open fire to quell the mob, which attacked the Town police station, burnt several vehicles, including two of the fire brigade, attacked three churches and set them ablaze.

At least two people were seriously injured in the police firing, while as many as 26 people were injured in the group clashes that originated from a local college but later spread to other sensitive pockets.

The authorities rushed CRPF jawans and deployed nine platoons of Orissa State Armed Police as tension prevailed in the town following arson and violence.

Police said the trouble brewed when the students belonging to two communities were engaged in a fierce scuffle over the display of certain objectionable drawing in the class room of local Vikarma Dev College this noon.

Soon the college campus turned into a battleground between the two communities.

Police on being informed about the incident arrived the spot and resorted to lathicharge to chase away the two warring groups.

As the news of the students belonging to two communities engaged in a clasg spread like wildfire in the town, the people took to the street and blocked the roads and then went on a rampage, attacking the police station, churches and vehicles.

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