Clashes broke out between members of two communities, leading to stone pelting, arson, and vandalizing of vehicles and shops, forcing the administration to impose Section 144 and deploying additional police forces to bring the situation under control late evening Thursday in Tarana town of Ujjain district, the home district of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav.
The tension continued even on Friday, Vasant Panchami, with business establishments closed down and police patrolling the town.
Sources said stone pelting occurred again in some parts of the town after the Friday prayers.
Ujjain SP Pradeep Sharma told media persons that around 15 persons have been taken into custody for vitiating the social harmony. Assuring that the situation is under control, he said heavy police force remains deployed in all parts of the town.
According to the police, the trouble started at around 8 pm when Sohel Thakur (Bundela), the city secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, was standing in Sukhla Gali, opposite the Bade Ram Mandir in Tarana. A youth identified as Ishaan Mirza and others entered into a quarrel with him over some issue. It is alleged that Mirza and his accomplices attacked Thakur in which he sustained serious head injuries.
As the news of the attack spread, members of both communities came face to face. Around a dozen buses were vandalized, and other vehicles were also damaged.
Sources said some miscreants allegedly set fire to the scrap shop owned by former Municipal Corporator Azad Khan.
In response to the situation, a heavy police force was rushed to the town to disperse the crowds and bring the situation under control. Authorities imposed Section 144 across the town.
On Friday, scores of activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal staged a protest at the police station demanding immediate arrest and strict action against those who allegedly attacked Thakur. The protesters recited Hanuman Chalisa in the police station premises.
According to police officials, a case of murderous assault has been registered against Sapan Mirza, Ishan Mirza, Shadab alias Idli, Salman Mirza, Rizwan Mirza, and Naved.
Heavy police force continues to be deployed in the whole town to prevent any further untoward incidents.