Meerut communal riots: One dead, 50 injured

, May 11: One person died and at least 50, including a senior police officer and two media persons, were injured in a

in Meerut on Saturday.

The incident occurred around 2 pm in Teer Gehran area when a group of people was installing a water facilitation kiosk near a mosque.

Members of the Jain community opposed the installation of the kiosk, saying it was near their temple too and the queue of people would disturb the peace of the premises.

But people from the other community did not agree and installed the water kiosk there, following which a scuffle took place between the two rival groups.

The scuffle blew out of proportion and people started shouting slogans against the other community.

According to TOI report, Shubham Rastogi, who suffered a bullet wound on his head, succumbed to injuries.

Some vehicles and kiosks were set afire, and members from each side started pelting bricks and stones. There were also reports of firing.

Following the rioting, shops were closed in the area, and heavy police force was deployed, an official told IANS.

When police reached the spot to control the mob, Superintendent of Police (City) Om Prakash Singh was injured along with some other police personnel.

Two camerapersons, who were trying to capture footage of the incident, were also injured. Their cameras were also damaged.

"Patrolling has been intensified, and police forces from other areas along with the Provincial Armed Constabulary and Rapid Action Force have been deployed to restore peace," Om Prakash Singh told IANS.

Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) A.K. Senger told IANS that tension was simmering between two communities for quite some time now and that resulted in Saturday's rioting.

IANS