Communal clashes erupted during Ram Navami procession in central Gujarat city of Vadodara on Thursday following which the police had to lob teargas shells and resort to lathi-charge.
More than three incidents of stone pelting were reported from sensitive areas of Fatehpura and Yakutpura. A couple of people got injured and arrests have also been made in the case.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (zone III) Yashpal Jaganiya told a section of media that two groups were involved in verbal altercation after the procession crossed Panjrigar Mohalla. He claimed that there was no incident of stone pelting or lathi-charge in the area.
Sources said that the first incident of stone pelting happened around 1pm in one procession. In the second procession that was taken out in late afternoon, stone pelting was reported at more than two places.
Top police officers, including Police Commissioner Shamsher Singh, were in the field to get the situation under control.
Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi directed police to arrest the troublemakers before midnight. Situation is being monitored from the command centre located in Gandhinagar.
Police said that they were monitoring social media and anyone spreading rumours as well.
Former home minister Rajendra Trivedi, who also resides in the eastern part of the city where these areas are located, told a section of the media that the incident seems to be done in a planned manner. He added he was sure that stringent action would be taken in such a manner that it would be a lesson for those indulging in such activities.
Sources said the minority community got agitated after someone in the procession fired small saffron papers from party pops near a mazaar. In the second procession, those in the procession chanted Jai Shree Ram, especially near a mosque, apparently as an instigation.