16 held for attack on people at Sonipat place of worship

ROHTAK: Haryana police Monday rounded up 16 youths of a village in Sonipat district where about eight people were wounded in an "unprovoked" and "sudden" attack on devotees praying at a mosque the day before. A case was registered and the suspects were charged with hurting religious sentiments and other offences, a Sonipat police officer said.
The village of Sandal Kalan has about 20 families of the minority community and they offer prayers at a mosque built in a house. Sonipat police commissioner B Satheesh Balan said several youths entered the place of worship around 9pm Sunday and attacked those praying, leaving several people with wounds that needed hospitalisation.
He said security has been provided to families of wounded, while villagers were also helping out. Villager Raj Singh said Sandal Kalan is known for communal harmony and no such attack had happened before. A panchayat has been called to find ways to stop any repeat in the future, he said.