Two Home Guards were shot dead and seven policemen injured as a mob tried to stop a religious procession, throwing stones and setting cars on fire in Haryana. The police used teargas and fired shots in the air to disperse the crowd. Internet services have been suspended in the area and prohibitory orders banning large gatherings have been issued. Later in the evening, a meeting was held between members of two communities to help resolve the situation.
The police have rescued nearly 2,500 men, women and children who had taken shelter at a temple near Nuh, adjoining Gurugram, due to the violence outside. The crowd, stranded at the Nulhar Mahadev temple, had come to take part in the religious procession, during which the violence started.
"Today's incident is unfortunate, I appeal to all the people to maintain peace in the state. The guilty will not be spared at any cost, strictest action will be taken against them," Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar tweeted.
"There was a meeting between the two communities in Nuh, in which many political and social people were present along with the local administration. A meeting of both the communities will be held again tomorrow at 11:00 am. Meanwhile, Bhiwani SP Shri Narendra Bijarnia has been given additional responsibility of the district. The situation is normal in the district now," read a rough translation of a tweet by the Haryana Police.
The clash started as the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra, organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, was stopped by a group of young men on the Gurugram-Alwar National Highway and stones were thrown at the procession.
As the violence escalated, government and private vehicles were targeted by the mob. Towards evening, violence spread to the Gurugram-Sohna highway, where several cars were torched and stones were thrown at the police, sources said. Later, the injured policemen were shifted to the Medanta hospital, where they are receiving treatment.
Reports say the clash was triggered by an objectionable video posted on social media by a Bajrang Dal activist.
Sources said Bajrang Dal member Monu Manesar and his associates – suspects in several criminal cases -- had circulated the video a few days ago. He had openly challenged that he would stay in Mewat during the yatra.
Many are claiming to have seen them during the yatra. The locals allegedly retaliated to it.
Schools, colleges and educational institutions in Gurugram and Faridabad districts will remain closed on Tuesday in view of the tension in the area, the Haryana Police have said. The Haryana Board of School Education, Bhiwani, has cancelled the board exams for Classes 10 and 12 due on Tuesday and Wednesday.
In view of the events at Nuh, the Delhi Police have been asked to step up vigilance.
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