Communal clashes erupt in Gujarat's Vadodara on Diwali night; 19 detained

Vadodara: Communal clashes broke out on Diwali night in Vadodara and till Tuesday morning after members of two communities clashed over the bursting of firecrackers following which police detained 19 people from the two sides, an official said on Tuesday.

The clash broke out at around 12.45 am on Tuesday in the communally sensitive Panigate locality.

Addressing the local media, Vadodara Deputy Commissioner of Police, Yaspal Jaganiya said: "The exact reason for the violence is yet to be ascertained. The moment police learnt of the incident, personnel from across the city were moved to the spot and the situation was brought under control. A petrol bomb was hurled at the police from the terrace of the house, one person is held in this regard."

No one was injured in the clash, he said, adding that a motorcycle parked in the area caught fire after a rocket firecracker fell on it. 

Officials said street lights were cut off before the clash broke out, after which rioters from the two sides started hurling stones.

"Following an issue over the bursting of firecrackers and hurling rocket bombs at each other, people from two communities pelted stones at each other," the official said.

After the incident, security was deployed in the area and the situation was under control, he said. 

Suspects from both communities were being rounded up, he added. 

Tags: