Rioting mobs attack Kalol police, ransack property over man’s detention

Vadodara: Panchmahal police were attacked by mobs after they detained a suspect in an offence in the Kalol town of the district. At least three police officers and other personnel were injured in the melee.
The rioting took place after Kalol police picked up a youth in connection with an offence of assault. A mob started gathering around the the police station and soon started become aggressive. Police had to use force to disperse the riotous mob.
The detention of the suspect had triggered rumours in the town and mobs started gathering in the congested areas of Kalol which started targeting shops and vehicles. Police teams that reached these sensitive areas located in the vicinity of the police station too were pelted with stones.
“Personnel had to use teargas shells to control the situation. Two to three policemen had major injuries while others suffered from minor injuries due to stone pelting,” said Panchmahal superintendent of police Leena Patil.
There were unconfirmed reports of firing during the incident, but the police was in the process of gathering details and could not confirm. Patil said that several persons responsible for the violence had been identified and would be arrested soon.
The police started combing operations in the town to nab the accused.