Security stepped up after fresh violence in Vadodara

Security has been heightened with two more SRPF companies being deployed following fresh violence reported from one of the city areas where communal clashes occurred over the last three days, police said today.

Communal violence had erupted in Yakutpura, Panjrapole, Fatehpura and Kumbharvada in the city on Thursday after some alleged derogatory posts about a religion were put on social networking site 'Facebook'.

On Friday, some minor incidents were reported with police lobbying teargas shells to disperse two rival groups who pelted each other with stones in Yakutpura, Panjrapole, Fatehpura, Kumbharvada and other areas in the walled city.

The situation remained normal during the day yesterday, but a stabbing incident was reported from Jagmalni Pole area last night, Vadodara City Joint Police Commissioner D J Patel said today.

Following the attack, sporadic incidents of stone throwing took place in Panigate, Wadi, Memon Colony, Ajwa Road and Navapura areas of the city, he said.

Police had to lob teargas shells and open fire in the air in these areas. No one was injured in the action, he said.

"With the arrival of two more State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) companies, the total number of its companies deployed in the city has gone up to 13. Besides, one company each of RAF, CRPF and BSF have also been deployed," Patel said.

Senior police officials rushed to the affected areas and brought the situation under control. They maintained a vigil in the trouble-torn areas till the wee hours today.

Nearly 100 miscreants have been rounded up so far from the violence-hit areas, he said. Yesterday, mobile internet facility in the city was suspended as a precautionary measure to check the spread of rumours which could spark communal tension.