Violence erupted in Rajasthan’s Chomu after a dispute near a mosque, injuring six policemen. Authorities imposed WhatsApp and social media curbs to prevent rumours and restore order.
Shuttered shops in Chomu town of Jaipur district after tensions flared following a dispute near a mosque. (Photo source: IANS)
Tension broke out in Chomu town of Rajasthan’s Jaipur district early Friday after a dispute near a mosque turned violent, leaving several policemen injured and forcing authorities to use tear gas and impose communication curbs.
The incident took place around 3 am near the Chomu bus stand when police intervened during a dispute linked to the installation of an iron railing outside a mosque. A section of the crowd allegedly began pelting stones at the police, triggering chaos in the area.
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According to officials, at least six policemen were injured in the stone-pelting. Most of them suffered head injuries and were admitted to a nearby hospital. Their condition is said to be stable. Several police vehicles were also damaged during the clashes.
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Police sources said the tension stemmed from stones placed along the roadside near the mosque, which had reportedly been lying there for several years.
Officials said the removal of the stones was part of a traffic management drive that began on Wednesday, during which traffic was diverted from key routes such as Thana Mod and Morija Tiraha. Members of a particular community had agreed to the removal during a meeting with the police administration.
However, after the stones were removed, some people allegedly began installing iron girders and railings near the mosque to create a boundary, leading to fresh objections and rising tempers.
Negotiations between the police and community representatives continued late into Thursday night, and an agreement was reached to maintain the status quo. However, police later removed the iron railings installed at the spot, which allegedly angered some locals and is believed to have triggered the stone-pelting.
When police attempted to stop the installation of the railing, a section of the crowd allegedly turned violent and began throwing stones at the force.
To control the situation, police resorted to a lathi-charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and prevent further escalation. Additional police forces were rushed in from Chomu, Vishwakarma, Harmada and Daulatpura police stations, officials said.
Senior officers said the situation was brought under control by morning, though tension continued to prevail in the area.
To maintain law and order and reassure residents, hundreds of police personnel carried out a flag march across Chomu town.
The bus stand area has effectively been turned into a police camp, with the entire locality declared a high-security zone. Special Task Force teams, riot control vehicles and additional forces were deployed to prevent any further flare-up.
A large contingent of police personnel was mobilised not just from local stations but also from the Jaipur Police Line and Murlipura, officials said.
Additional Police Commissioner Dr Rajiv Pachar, along with DCP West Hanuman Prasad, Additional DCP Rajesh Gupta, and other senior officers from Jaipur, reached the spot to review the situation. The officers appealed to residents to remain calm and maintain peace.
In view of the tense situation, Divisional Commissioner Poonam, on the recommendation of the Police Commissioner, ordered the suspension of WhatsApp, social media platforms and bulk message services in Chomu for 24 hours. i.e. from 7 am Friday to 7 am Saturday, to curb the spread of misinformation and rumours.
Police officials said the area is currently peaceful. Search operations are underway to identify those involved in the stone-pelting, and strict legal action will be taken against all the accused.
Authorities warned that any attempt to disturb law and order will be dealt with firmly.
Former Chomu MLA Ramlal Sharma told news agency IANS that the situation was under control and said that internet services were available in the area, though WhatsApp and bulk messaging services had been suspended as a precaution.
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