Violence erupted during a religious procession in Nuh adjoining Gurugram on Monday. Stones were pelted and cars were set on fire, forcing the police to lob teargas shells to disperse crowds.
Two people were killed and several policemen were injured in the violence, which is being dubbed as a "communal clash." According to NDTV, the deceased were home guards.
According to media reports, 2,500 men, women and children have taken shelter in a temple following the violence.
Internet has been suspended in the area, and prohibitory orders have been clamped down to prevent further violence. Police conducted a flag march in the area.
According to police, the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra was stopped by a group of young men near Khedla Mod in Nuh, and stones were pelted at the procession. "One or two cars" in the procession were set on fire, an official said.
People in the procession hurled stones back at the youths who had stopped them, reports said.
The yatra was flagged off from Gurugram's Civil Lines by BJP district president Gargi Kakkar. A police contingent was deployed with the procession.
According to some claims, the trigger for the clash was an objectionable video posted on social media by a Bajrang Dal activist in Ballabhgarh.
CM, other political leaders appeal for peace
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and other leaders cutting across party lines have appealed to people to maintain peace and harmony in the state.
Khattar said the citizens should cooperate in the interest of the state by following the principle of "Haryana Ek Haryanvi Ek", asserting that all issues can be resolved through dialogue.
The chief minister said that the kind of situation that has arisen in Nuh, the responsibility of every common citizen towards the society increases further.
Khattar also said that no person is above the Constitution of the country. "We all should keep working together for the integrity and peace of the country," he added.
—with PTI inputs