Three killed in Rajasthan riots, curfew imposed

Vasundhra Raje asks people not to pay attention to rumours

Three persons were killed and six others injured in a communal clash which broke out between two communities in Rajasthan’s Pratapgarh district, prompting the authorities to impose curfew in the town and nearby areas.

The clash broke out on Tuesday night when some youth were returning home after a programme when another group of four-five youth had a verbal spat with them.

“Within minutes, over hundred people from both the sides gathered at a bus stand and some men from the minority community opened fire leaving several people injured,” SP Pratapgarh U K Chhanwal said.

This led to exchange of fire and stone pelting from both the sides. The youths, who opened fire first, sped away towards another nearby village Moheda and opened fire there also in which some locals got injured.

In the incident, 20-year-old Raja Khan of Kotadi, Bhanwar Singh (50) and Dinesh (25), both from Moheda village, died, he said, adding six others injured are admitted to a hospital in Udaipur.

Over 20 thatched houses and shops were set afire in Kotadi area following which the district administration has imposed curfew in Kotadi under Arnod police station area late night, he said.

Tension escalated today gripping nearby villages where people of a community set ablaze three shops, one showroom and one house belonging to minority community, police said.

While a mob in Dalot village vandalised three shops, another mob set ablaze one house in Salamgarh, Additional SP Goverdhan Lal said.

However, no one was injured in the incident, he said.

SHO Salamgarh (Pratapgarh) Bhairon Singh said that those involved in the arson have been identified.

Additional forces have been deployed in the area and the situation is under control, he said. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje condemned the incident in Pratapgarh calling it “unfortunate”.

She appealed to the people of the area to maintain peace and harmony, and to not pay attention to rumors, an official statement said.

In Udaipur, where the injured were rushed last night, members of Rajput caste demanded compensation for the deceased members of the community.

“They gathered at the mortuary and raised demand of adequate compensation. However, the situation was handled peacefully and the bodies were sent to village after post mortem from medical board,” Additional SP Udaipur Laxman Rai Rathore said.