Date:15/03/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/03/15/stories/2003031506151100.htm

National

One killed in police firing in Vadodara

By Our Special Correspondent

AHMEDABAD MARCH 14. One person was killed in police firing and four others were injured in mob attacks as violence erupted in Vadodara city this evening during the Tazia procession on the occasion of Muharrum.

The city Joint Police Commissioner, C.P. Thakur, had a miraculous escape when a violent mob armed with swords and other weapons gheraoed his vehicle. His driver and the wireless operator were among those seriously injured while the vehicle was badly smashed by the mob.

Though the police did not confirm, the violence reportedly started after some unscrupulous elements pelted stones on one of the Tazia processions near Sarasia Talao in the mixed locality of Fatehpura. A violent mob indulged in arson, setting fire to a dozen two-wheelers and a couple of shops in the area.

The violence later spread to nearby Vadi, Wabamanpura and other localities with mobs indulging in stone pelting and arson. One person was reportedly killed when police fired five rounds in Fatehpura following large-scale arson. Though the police had not imposed curfew in the affected areas, the local people said a curfew-like situation prevailed in Vadi, Mandvi, Fatehpura and other areas in the old city. The Tazia processions were also suspended after the eruption of violence.

In most other parts of Gujarat, however, Muharrum was observed peacefully. In Ahmedabad, Tazia processions were taken out in groups under heavy police bandobust and no untoward incident was reported till late this evening.

It was after a gap of two years that the Muslims were taking out Tazia processions with the State Government beefing up security in view of the prevailing communal tension. Tazias were not taken out in 2001 due to the earthquake and last year because of the widespread riots in the aftermath of the Godhra train carnage.

Tension in Bihar, Rajasthan

UNI, PTI report:

Tension ran high in Bakerganj and Laheriasarai localities of Darbhanga in Bihar since Thursday night following the ransacking of a religious place, but the tight security measures prevented any untoward incident so far.

Apprehending breach of law and order, the District Administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144, CrPC in the trouble-torn areas.

Tension gripped Rayala and Shahpura towns in Rajasthan's Bhilwara district as Muslims refused to bury Tazias following damage to the wall of a holy place.

Though the administration got the damaged portion repaired immediately, the Muslims refused to stage the procession, official sources said in Jaipur.