1 killed, 6 injured in police firing as Vadodara flares up

Vadodara, Sep 15 (UNI) One person was killed in police firing and scores injured as fresh riots broke out today at Fatehpura inside the walled city area, which witnessed widespread violence last night during Ganesh idols immersion.

As around 400 rioters went on the rampage, setting several shops and vehicles on fire, police opened fire after use of lathis and teargas shells proved ineffective. The irate mob also attacked a place of worship.

One Juned Sheikh (25), a resident of Hathikhana, was killed on the spot. Six others, who also received bullet injuries, were rushed to the SSG civil hospital. Condition of at least three victims was stated to be critical, hospital sources said.

Considering the mounting tension, the authorities promulgated prohibitory orders under section 144 of CRPC in the area this afternoon. They have deployed heavy armed police force to contain any tense situation.

The rioters, who indulged in heavy pelting of bricks in retaliation to yesterday's sporadic incidents of violence in Fatehpura, Yakutpura and Hathikhana areas during the immersion, today looted about one dozen shops and set four of them on fire along with three two-wheelers.

As the situation went out of control, armed police, deployed in the area in view of yesterday's violence, reportedly opened fire indiscriminately killing one of the rioters on the spot and injuring several others, sources said.

Last night, at least 10 people, including two senior police officials, were injured in heavy stone-pelting between the members of the two communities in the same area. About half-a-dozen shops, three roadside 'larries' and two vehicles were also damaged in the mob attack. However, police were able to quell the mob after lathicharge and lobbing of teargas shells.

Police have reportedly detained eight people in connection with yesterday's violence.

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