Stone-Pelting, Arson After Clashes Break In Jodhpur Over "Flag", Ashok Gehlot Calls For Peace

"Today is the day which is auspicious for both Hindu and Muslim communities. While Hindus are celebrating Akshay tritiya, Muslims are celebrating Eid. However, hours before Eid, communal tension broke out in Jodhpur leading to stone-pelting. Five policemen were injured in the incident that took place past midnight. The situation was brought under control with the heavy deployment of police. However, tension re-escalated in the city after the Namaz of Eid on Tuesday morning when some people pelted stones near the Jalori Gate area. A few vehicles of police and private vehicles were also damaged. Jodhpur is the hometown of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony. According to police, Muslims were installing Eid flags and they put up a flag on a roundabout alongside the statue of freedom fighter Balmukund Bissa. This led to a confrontation as the other community alleged that a saffron flag they had put up there ahead of Parshuram Jayanti, had gone missing. The issue snowballed into stone-pelting and clashes. Police rushed to the spot to control the situation. Cops had to lob tear gas shells to disperse the mob. Meanwhile, mobile internet services were suspended in the area to check the spread of rumours. According to police, the tension between two communities led to stone pelting, leaving at least four policemen injured. Reportedly, media persons who were covering the incident also became victims of the Police anger. At present, the atmosphere in the entire city remains tense. The police has appealed to celebrate the festivals with communal harmony. Several vehicles in residential areas were damaged after stone pelting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices