Peace rally turns violent

Tension prevailed at Musheerabad area after a peace rally taken by Bajrang Dal turned violent on Tuesday.

 Tension erupted in Musheerabad after a clash between two groups. At least 10 persons  were injured when a group pelted stones on a religious procession taken up by Bajrang Dal to maintain peace in the city. 

Police did not allow any group to take out the procession on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti in the Old City but such processions were organised in elsewhere in the city. 

When repeated baton-charge, use of teargas shells and firing in the air by the police failed to bring the situation under control, an indefinite curfew was clamped in Musheerabad and Bolakpur areas to maintain law and order. The perpetrators of violence also damaged some vehicles and set afire to tyres.

 Sensing trouble, the police top-brass called for Central Reserve Police Force assistance to restore normalcy in the area.

 Police Commissioner A K Khan told reporters that the situation was peaceful but there was no possibility of relaxing the curfew Tuesday in trouble hit areas--Musheerabad and Bholakpur. He said any decision on relaxing the curfew would be taken after a review of the situation Wednesday. 

Police have been asked to deal firmly with anyone creating trouble. "We will use all the powers and force at our disposal," he said while hinting that police could also fire at troublemakers.