Mobile Internet Services in Morbi and Surendranagar districts suspended, ST buses stopped

Gandhinagar: Mobile Internet services in Morbi and Surendranagar districts have been suspended in the wake of the violent clash between two communities on the outskirts of Halvad town of Morbi district this afternoon, Minister of State of Home Pradipsinh Jadeja said.

The ST bus service in the area has also been stopped as a precautionary measure.

At least one person was killed and two other were seriously injured in the clash and around 25 vehicles were torched or damaged in the incident.

Jadeja said that all measure to maintain peace in the two districts are being taken. ‘There will be tough action against the culprits. Apart from SP Morbi, SP Jamnagar has also been asked to look in to the situation. I appeal the two communities who have lived with peace and brotherhood for long to not to be provoked and maintain peace. The collectors of the two districts have been asked to ban the internet services in the two districts to put a check on rumour mongers,’ he said.

The internet services would remain closed since 6 pm tomorrow for now. It might be elongated, Surendranagar collector informed.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Vallabh Kakadiya said that the ST buses were often made target in case of such community clashes so as a precautionary measure, the plying of ST buses in the area have been stopped and the buses have been sent to nearby police stations or depot.

In-Charge PI of Halvad R A Bhojani said that people of Kshatriya community from Morbi and Halvad were going to participate in the Besanu of former chairman of the Dhraghdra municipality in neighbouring Surendranagar district, Indrasinh Zala, an influential local leader of the community who was murdered on July 7. They had a clash with people from Bharvad community on Dhrangadhra road near Gopaldham temple in which one Rananbhai Bharvad (50) was shot dead and two other got injured.

Irate mob torched and damaged around 25 vehicles including a four wheeler.

Extra police has been deployed with over half a dozen companies of the State Reserve Police (SRP) in and around the spot and in the adjoining area in the two districts,

Notably, several incidents of clash between the two communities have taken place after the murder of the leader in which the Kshatriya community suspects the hands of certain Bharvad community people with whom the deceased leader had old rivalry.

On July 10 incidents of stone pelting and arson were witnessed during bandh organized by Kshatriya community in Surendranagar district to protest the murder.

DeshGujarat