INDORE/MHOW: Communal clashes erupted in Mhow, 25km from Indore, late Sunday night during celebrations of India’s victory in the Championship Trophy. Police conducted a lathicharge and fired teargas after arson and stone-pelting between two groups.
Around midnight, collector Ashish Singh told TOI that order had been restored and things were under control.
IG-rural Anurag told TOI, “A group of youths was taking out a procession in Mhow market to celebrate Team India’s victory over New Zealand in Champions trophy on Sunday night. When the procession was passing through the Jama Masjid area, a group of people suddenly started pelting stones at it.”
This triggered a heated exchange following which both parties attacked each other, said police. The violence started in Jama Masjid area and spread to Manek Chowk, Sewa Marg, Market Chowk and Rajesh Mohalla.
“Two vehicles were set on fire. We are not sure yet how many people were injured but the clash was contained immediately through heavy deployment of forces from all police stations. Additional forces have been called in,” said IG Anurag.
Senior police officers, including SP Hitika Wasal, ASP Rupesh Dwivedi, were on the spot.
“There was tension in Mhow following communal clashes but the situation is under control. Action will be taken against the miscreants,” collector Singh told TOI.
Sources say a shop and several vehicles were torched, but police hadn’t given out official figures at the time this report was filed.
Shopkeeper Sandeep Dayma told TOI that about a dozen two-wheelers were set on fire.
