M A I N   N E W S

Communal clash at Mehsana; 15 hurt

Ahmedabad, August 29
At least 15 persons were injured, two of them seriously, in a group clash between two communities at the remote Bakhar village of Unjha taluka in Mehsana district, the police said here today.

"The situation is now under control as the police rushed to the spot and took necessary steps to maintain the law and order," Mehsana District Superintendent of Police H. G. Patel said.

The official said the rioting mobs were lathicharged and there had been no reports of any damage to the public property, he added.

Mr Patel said "as per preliminary investigation the son of a retired police official, who has a house in the village, had gone for some pooja. He allegedly threatened some persons of minority community after a scuffle and this triggered the clash." The security has been tightened in the sensitive town following the incident, the official said.

A case of attempt to murder and rioting has been registered against five persons and the mob that attacked.

Several of the accused persons are reportedly absconding and officials were probing further, Mr Patel added.— PTI