Intruders attacked revellers at a Garba site in Gujarat’s Kheda district, causing at least six people to sustain injuries, police said on Tuesday. Following the incident on Monday night, police were stationed near Undhela hamlet in Matar tehsil, according to an official.
“A group of people led by two men identified as Arif and Zahir entered the Navratri Garba venue and started causing trouble. They even pelted stones,” said Kheda Superintendent of Police Rajesh Gadhiya.
“Six persons were injured. We have deployed police force in the village and efforts are underway to arrest the accused,” he said, adding that a home guard deployed at the spot was among those injured.
Stone pelting was reported in the village square where the Garba dance had been organized on the occasion of the Navratri festival and also on the approach road from a locality behind the venue, the SP said
In a separate incident on Monday, police arrested 40 people in Vadodara after clashes broke out between two groups of different faiths at a vegetable market in Savli town.
Vadodara Rural Police, PR Patel, told news agency ANI that a local group had tied an Islamic flag to an electric pole as a Muslim festival was coming up. But, another group took offence to it because of the presence of a temple nearby.
Clashes broke out when the Hindu group went to convey how their religious sentiments were hurt.
The police official also said that several nearby vehicles were damaged in the stone pelting.
Cross First Information Reports (FIRs) were lodged by both the groups on late Saturday night, following which a case was registered for rioting, unlawful assembly, rash act endangering human life etc of the Indian Penal Code against 43 people.
“FIR has been filed. Accused from both sides, 25 and 15 people, have been arrested. Police patrolling is underway,” said the Vadodara police official.
According to Rajesh Garhia SP Kheda Police security has been beefed up in the communally sensitive area and the situation is under control.