At least half a dozen people got injured. A dozen vehicles and two shops were set on fire
Waquar Hasan | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — A group of anti-social elements indulged in large-scale violence and arson targeting the Muslim community in the Mhow city of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday night.
Ostensibly to celebrate the Indian cricket team’s winning the Champions Trophy, the group held a noisy rally and made it pass through the city’s Jama Masjid where worshippers were performing Taraweeh (the special night prayers in Ramadan). Clashes erupted as rope bombs were reportedly thrown inside the mosque creating panic among the worshippers
According to the Hindi daily Dainik Bhashkar, at least half a dozen people got injured in the violence that ensued. Besides, the report said, a dozen vehicles and two shops were set on fire.
Mohammed Javed, the imam of the masjid, said rope bombs were hurled inside the mosque. “Muslims were offering the Taraweeh namaz and the rally passed through making all sorts of noises. As the prayers were over, the last part of the rally was still around the mosque. When we came out after concluding our namaz, somebody hurled rope bombs inside the mosque causing smoke. This created panic and anger resulting in stone-pelting,” he told local reporters.
Javed said he was unable to understand how the rally was allowed to pass through the area without prior permission.
“I’m unable to understand how the rally was allowed to pass through this area. Why was the rally taken on this route? Who permitted the rally? If the permission was granted, how many people and vehicles were allowed for the rally,” he said.
According to the imam, the situation of stone-pelting was created when some people hurled rope bombs into the mosque. Those who hurled the bombs were confronted leading to clashes.
“As we were talking with the police along with a resident Amit Joshi, stone-pelting broke out. It was started right before the police,” said Javed.
On other hand, Hitika Vasal, Indore Rural SP, also said that communal tension occurred over the firecrackers. But the situation is now under control.
“Tension occurred between the two sides here, and some incidents of violence have taken place. The incident took place after the victory of the Indian team. The incident occurred over firecrackers. The situation is completely under control now. I would like to tell everyone that I do not believe in any type of fake news. Adequate force is here and we are patrolling the area. The incident will be investigated, and necessary action will be taken in this regard. Accordingly, the people involved will be punished. Now there is news of three people getting injured here. Further investigation is underway,” she said while talking to the reporters.
The mob celebrating India’s victory also attacked the vehicle of SHO Ajay Gurjar when he went to talk to the people responsible for the rally.
According to Madhya Pradesh-based journalist Kashif Kakvi, there was a pact between the two communities to not let religious processions pass through any of their religious places. But last night, some miscreants tried to create unrest by throwing firecrackers inside a mosque when Taraweeh was underway.