Himmatnagar: Hindu processions marking Ram Navami were attacked with stone pelting in Chhapariya area of Himmatnagar town in North Gujarat. Several vehicles were damaged and burnt. Arson has also been reported. The incident of violence happened twice in the afternoon when the Ram Navami processions were passing through the Muslims populated locality called Chhapariya. Police lobbed tear gas shells to control the violent mobs.

There were two processions scheduled today from Ramji Mandir in Chhapuariya. One was organized by Pravin Togadia led Rashtriya Bajarang Dal and Antarrashtriya Vishwa Hindu Parishad in early afternoon. The other procession was organized by RSS affiliated Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal along with other Hindu organizations post 4.15 pm. While the first procession came under attack in Muslim majority area, the second procession was kept on hold for sometime and later allowed. The second procession also came under heavy stone pelting attack in same locality. According to other version, the second attack took place when the first procession was returning. Police had to lob over 150 tear gas shells to control the mob. At least four vehicles were burnt. Several police men including district police chief and participants of procession reportedly suffered injuries. One scribe also came under attack when he was doing coverage of violence. Extra police forces including staffers of Local Crime Branch, Special Operation Group were rushed as the mobs still were challenging the police.

Meanwhile, communal violence spread to other areas of Himmatnagar town in reaction to Chhapariya violence.

DeshGujarat