2 groups clash in Khoda police station

GHAZIABAD: Tension prevailed in Khoda Colony of Ghaziabad on Monday after two groups of people from different communities pelted stones at each other and also clashed inside the local police station, leaving a few persons injured.
On the complaint of one group, an FIR has been registered against seven people and 20 more who are unidentified for rioting, house trespass and intimidation, even as an investigation is being conducted on the complaint of the opposite group. Following the incident, cops from three police stations — Khoda, Indirapuram and Link Road — were sent to Khoda’s Indira Vihar Colony to maintain peace.

Police said a minor tiff between two neighbours, who live opposite each other in Indira Vihar, turned into a major clash between two communities after people from both sides gathered and started arguing with each other. Later they turned violent and started throwing stones at each other as well as their houses. At least six persons received injuries.

A call was made to the police and the two clashing neighbours and some of their supporters were brought to the police station. However, in the police station also, they clashed with each other in front of police officers. Police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the crowd.

Even as one side accused the other side of molesting a girl and attacking them with sharp-edged weapons, the other side alleged an attack on their religious place.

Circle officer, Indirapuram, Ravi Kumar said, “The situation was brought under control soon after we received the information. A police force was deputed as a preventive measure. Both sides have lodged complaints against each other. The two neighbours nursed grudges against each other for a long time and clashed with each other again on Monday. Some anti-social elements joined them and tried to turn it into a communal clash.”