Tension in old city area of Bhopal after clash, stone pelting

PTI

India, Crime

Around a dozen vehicles were torched during the clashes and the police lobbed teargas shells and fired gunshots in the air.

People gather around the hospital premises where the clash broke out, in Bhopal. (Photo: Twitter | @followersfreee6)

Bhopal: Members of two communities in old city area in Bhopal clashed and pelted stones at each other Tuesday night, leaving some persons, including policemen, injured.

Around a dozen vehicles were torched during the clashes and the police lobbed teargas shells and fired gunshots in the air to bring the situation under control.

The tension subdued in the early hours of Wednesday.

Heavy police force has been deployed in the area to avoid any untoward incident, said police.

"We have rounded up eight people," Bhopal (North) Superintendent of Police (SP) Arvind Saxena said on Wednesday.

Efforts are on to settle the differences between the two communities by initiating a dialogue between them, the SP added.

The tension started when a structure reportedly surfaced during digging work for construction of a building in a hospital premises in Bhopal, two days ago.

Members of the two communities claim that the structure belonged to their respective faiths, sparking off the tension.

"Situation is peaceful now," district Collector Nishant Warwade said.

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