Mobs teargassed

By Our Special Correspondent

AHMEDABAD, AUG. 24. The police burst teargas shells to disperse violent mobs indulging in looting and arson in Mirzapur, Khanpur and Kalupur localities of the city following a bandh call to protest against harassment of small vendors allegedly by Bajrang Dal activists.

The disturbances started when supporters of the Lok Janshakti Party forced the shops to down the shutters in response to its bandh call.

At least half-a-dozen shops were set ablaze and a major automobile showroom and a number of shops damaged in stone throwing.

While some local residents claimed that they were Bajrang Dal activists demanding donations for the Ganesh festivals and were attacked for refusal by the Muslim vendors to donate for the Hindu religious cause, the police said the identity of the attackers were not known and it could be a simple case of anti- social activists collecting ``haptas''.

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Section  : National
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