Communal clashes in Vadodara: Explained

, Sept 28: Communal clashes began in Gujarat's Vadodara from the first day of Navratri festival. The clashes which began after some photos circulated on the social media have not come to an end so far. The Police has also stepped up security in the area to prevent any new communal activity in the area.

Why these communal clashes

Communal violence had erupted in Yakutpura, Panjrapole, Fatehpura and Kumbharvadaarea of the city on Thursday after some derogatory photographs were circulated on the social media which led to hurting of the religious sentiments of the people.

Though the genesis of the communal clash is attributed to personal rivalry between two feuding leaders, but trouble was further ignited from a minor accident between two-wheelers driven by members of two different communities.

As per reports, over twenty vehicles were set on fire in Vadodara on Thursday evening by the clashing mobs.

Following the attack, sporadic incidents of stone throwing took place in Panigate, Wadi, Memon Colony, Ajwa Road and Navapura areas of the city.

On Friday, again some minor incidents of stone pelting were reported and the police lobbied teargas shells to disperse two rival groups who pelted each other with stones in Yakutpura, Panjrapole, Fatehpura, Kumbharvada and other areas in the walled city.

What is the Police saying?

The police attributed communal tensions to images and messages being spread on SMS, WhatsApp and Facebook.

"On Thursday and Friday, rumours were spread across the city with the use of mobile applications and SMSes which created panic and communal tension in sensitive areas, leading to clashes. Even though nothing major had happened, the entire city was under the impression that something major had taken place. The state home ministry took the decision to suspend SMSes and mobile internet service to prevent the spread of rumours," police commissioner E Radhakrishnan said.

The situation remained normal during the day yesterday, but a stabbing incident was reported from Jagmalni Pole area last night, Vadodara City Joint Police Commissioner D J Patel said on Sunday.

Vadodara Communal clashes: The story so far

Nearly 100 miscreants have been rounded up so far from the violence-hit areas by the police.

Security has been heightened with two more SRPF companies being deployed following fresh violence reported from one of the city areas where communal clashes occurred over the last three days.

Mobile internet facility in the city was suspended as a precautionary measure to check the spread of rumours which could further spark communal tensions in the city.

Later on, as a precautionary measure, the government ordered suspension of mobile data, bulk SMSes as well as wireless Internet service except broadband service across the consultation with city police.

Oneindia News