|

February 01, 2007

Madhya Pradesh: Communal violence coincides Muharram procession

20 people arrested for arson, violence

Rajgarh (MP), Feb. 1 (PTI): Twenty people were arrested today in connection with arson and violence during a Muharram procession that led to the imposition of curfew in Biora town near here, police said.

As police teams patrolled the streets, the arrests were made in connection with five separate cases of arson and violence and curfew violation, they said.

Violence had erupted yesterday after a dispute related to damage caused during the Muharram procession to posters pasted by the VHP. A mob torched two motorcycles and several huts on Suthalia road, besides ransacking some shops, police said.

A police constable was injured in the violence.

Curfew was still in force in the town and schools were asked to remain closed for the next three days. Divisional Commissioner B R Naidu has issued shoot-at-sight orders against those violating curfew, officials said.