One killed in Gujarat village as student clash turns communal

A day after one person was killed in communal clashes in a Gujarat village, the police on Sunday registered two FIRs and began a combing operation in nearby villages to nab the accused.

“The FIRs against the two groups with sections of rioting, arson, attempt to murder have been registered and process has began to identify and arrest the people,” a police official said.

Meanwhile, the family of 50-year-old Ibrahim Belim, who succumbed to the injuries he reportedly sustained during the clash, performed his last rites amid heavy police presence.

“We agreed to claim the body only after the police assured us that all the accused will be arrested soon,” said Abbas Belim, the victim’s brother.

The incident occurred on Saturday at Vadavali village in Patan after a clash between students belonging to different communities snowballed into a communal riot involving people from surrounding villages. About 10 houses and 20 vehicles were torched in the incident.

Police fired around 10 rounds in the air and lobbed tear gas shells to control the two groups that were pelting stones at each other. Three platoons of SRP were also rushed from Gandhinagar to control the situation.

ABOUT 10 HOUSES AND 20 VEHICLES WERE TORCHED IN THE INCIDENT AT VADAVALI VILLAGE IN PATAN