Violence broke out in at least five Indian states on Sunday during processions held on the occasion of the Hindu festival Ram Navami, Indian media reports said.
One person was killed in western Indian state of Gujarat and another in Jharkhand. Several people, including security personnel, were also injured in Madhya Pradesh, Scroll.in reported citing PTI.
On Monday, the Gujarat Police arrested nine people in connection with violence and stone-pelting in Khambhat town, The Indian Express reported.
“The situation in Khambhat town is under control,” Anand district’s Superintendent of Police Ajit Rajian said, The Indian Express reported.
At least 24 people were injured in violence in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone town, The Indian Express reported. Five police personnel were among those who sustained injuries.
At least 10 houses were also burnt during the clashes.
The first incident of violence broke out after people allegedly hurled stones at a Ram Navami procession, objecting to loud music, according to The New Indian Express.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that rioters will not be spared, the Hindustan Times reported.
One died and 12 people were critically injured in clashes in Jharkhand’s Lohardaga district on Sunday, PTI reported.
The violence took place after a group of people allegedly threw stones at a Ram Navami procession. The people who were part of the procession allegedly retaliated by hurling stones.
In West Bengal’s Bankura city, three police personnel were injured after a Ram Navami procession turned violent, The Times of India reported. The violence took place in the Manchantala area of the city.
Union minister Subhas Sarkar, who was present at the procession, alleged that bricks were hurled at his vehicle. He blamed Trinamool Congress members for the violence.
The police, however, have arrested at least 17 BJP workers in connection with the violence.
Meanwhile, tensions prevailed in the Shibpur area of Howrah city after an allegedly provocative speech was made at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad rally, The Indian Express reported.
Two groups of locals threw stones at each other, resulting in injuries to those in the mobs, as well as, police personnel.
Surendra Jain, joint general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, said that the incidents of violence across the country were “unfortunate”, PTI reported.
Violence also broke out in Goa’s Vasco town on Sunday after stones were allegedly hurled at a two-wheeler procession around 8.30pm in the Baina area of the city, Herald Goa reported.
