Group clash keeps Sira on tenterhooks

Tension prevailed in the town on Monday, following a clash between members of two communities Sunday midnight.

Around five people belonging to both the communities were injured, more than 10 vehicles were damaged and five houses were vandalised by miscreants.

Among the vehicles damaged are three buses, two cars, one autorickshaw, and a pani puri vendor’s pushcart, in the Soppinahatti and Kacheri Mohalla localities of the town.

The protests being held by members of a particular community against shops constructed by members of the other community near the Travellers’ Bungalow Circle, over the past few days, is said to be the background for the clash.

A quarrel over a frivolous matter at around 8.30 pm in the Fort area led to an exchange of words between the two groups.

Glass panes of five houses were broken and an attempt was made to set another house on fire.

As rumours over the incident spread during midnight, groups went on the rampage, setting fire to properties and languishing sticks, swords and other lethal weapons. Properties belonging to people of both the communities have been destroyed.

The police have arrested more than 30 people in connection with the incident. Shops and business establishments remained closed and the streets in the town were deserted. However, buses and autos plied as usual.

Residents alleged that the police failed to nip the tension between the two communities in the bud.

Uneasy calm prevails in the town and the police have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Inspector General of Police Ravindranath and Superintendent of Police Raman Gupta visited the town.