RAJKOT: A 30-year-old migrant worker became a victim of fierce communal clashes that erupted in Kidana village near Gandhidham late on Sunday night during a rally to collect donations for the Ram temple.
The victim Arjun Savaiyo from Jharkhand stabbed by the riotous mob attacked and set ablaze the rickshaw in which he was travelling, police said. The rickshaw driver was also stabbed. A complaint of murder was lodged against unidentified persons with Gandhidham B-division police station on Monday.
Meanwhile, the village remained on the edge but heavy police deployment has ensured that tempers remain under rein. Three policemen were also injured during stone pelting. Police had to burst 27 tear gas shells, four stun shells and some stun grenades to quell the mob that resorted to vandalism and arson. Nearly 13 vehicles allegedly used in rioting have also been seized.
On Monday, two other FIRs were also registered in Gandhidham and one in Mundra marine police station in connection with the riots.
One complaint was lodged by the police against the mob for rioting, violation of notification and damage of public property. The FIR stated that when the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) rally reached Masjid Chowk in the village, some participants were chanting religious slogans which provoked people from the other faith. This led to verbal altercation between the leaders of both the communities which snowballed. The FIR states that people from the minority community started pelting stones and a mob of around 200 people rushed towards the raths (chariots). Those in the rally also resorted to stone pelting. As the news of the clash spread in the area with the majority community population, another mob armed with sticks, swords and other sharp-edged weapons rushed here. Some policemen on duty got injured and the mob began torching vehicles after which cops lobbed tear gas shells to disperse them.
Mayur Patil, superintendent of police Kutch (east) said, “The situation in the village is under control and adequate force has been deployed. We have rounded up 40 people. We have video footage of the mob and action will be taken based on the evidence.”
Another FIR was registered by Vipul Jaru who named Iqbal Chavda, Kasam Kkal, Ibrahim, Hussain Chavda, Salman Chavda and 200 other unknown people, alleging that the mob stopped the rathyatra and pelted stones.
Another complaint was lodged against members of the minority community with Mundra marine police station alleging that the rathyatra was attacked in Sadau village.