Communal violence breaks out after road accident in Vadodara, Gujarat, 19 arrested

Vadodara: Three people were injured in Gujarat's Vadodara city after a road accident triggered a communal clash, police said on Monday, adding that stones were thrown, vehicles damaged, and a shrine had been vandalized.

So far, 19 people have been arrested for rioting after an incident that occurred late Sunday night, officials said, as well as three others for two-wheeler accidents.

A police official of Karelibaug police station said the clash arose following a road accident involving two-wheelers belonging to people from two different communities in the city's Raopura neighbourhood. Police confirmed three people were injured in the clash.

As a result of the escalating situation, locals from two communities gathered in the Karelibaug area, nearby Raopura, and threw stones at each other.

Police allege that a mob destroyed the idol at a shrine on the roadside as well as two autorickshaws and as many two-wheelers. Two separate FIRs were filed at Raopura and Karelibaug police stations for the rioting and accident, respectively, and 22 people have thus far been arrested, the official said.

"All the 19 persons named in the Karelibaug FIR for rioting were arrested during the combing operation carried out last night. Efforts are on to nab the unidentified accused," Additional Commissioner of Police, Chirag Koradia said.

He added that security has been tightened in the area and the situation is now under control.