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Gujarat peaceful after cricket-triggered violence

By Our Special Correspondent

AHMEDABAD MARCH 2. The situation in Gujarat remained peaceful today after an 18-year-old youth was killed in police firing in Ahmedabad, following communal violence that broke out after the India-Pakistan World Cup match last night.

In Vadodara city, police burst dozens of teargas shells to disperse stone-pelting mobs, which set fire to a couple of two-wheelers and attacked some shops in the minority-dominated Wadi area.

Cricket fans celebrating India's victory over Pakistan were incensed following rumours that people in some minority-dominated areas had burst crackers to celebrate Sachin Tendulkar's dismissal in the match. Shouting anti-Pakistan and anti-Muslim slogans, the fans threw stones on the houses of the minority community in Kalupur, Shahpur, Rakhial, Maninagar and other areas. At least three shops, including an electronic goods shop, were also looted and several television sets smashed by the mobs in Rakhial area. The police lathicharged the mobs to disperse them. However, at Shahpur, they had to open fire, when the situation threatening to go out of control. A youth was killed in the firing.

The police had made elaborate arrangements in all sensitive areas apprehending trouble, whatever the outcome of the match might be, considering the communally-surcharged atmosphere in the State. A Rapid Action Force battalion was deployed in Shahpur last midnight following which the situation remained completely peaceful today, an official spokesman said.

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