Clash over music at pandal, one killed

NEW DELHI: A clash between two groups over playing music at a Durga Puja pandal in west Delhi’s Khayala on Saturday night left three men injured, one of who succumbed to stab injuries at a government hospital on Tuesday.

The injured men and the alleged attackers belonged to different faiths. Four attackers were arrested soon after the crime, police said.

The deceased was identified as Riyaz Ahmed, a resident of Khyala. Police said Ahmed had suffered stab injuries to his head and other parts of the body. He was initially admitted to a local hospital but when his condition worsened, doctors referred him to Safdarjung Hospital where he died on Tuesday, police said.

Deputy commissioner of police (west) Monika Bhardwaj said an attempt to murder case was initially registered which was later changed to murder. “We arrested four attackers the same night when the crime took place,” said Bhardwaj.

Locals told police that some local boys were dancing to the music that was being played at a Durga Puja pandal in a public park in Khayala.

Some people from the other group objected to the loud music. It led to an argument that soon turned into a scuffle during which both groups attacked each others with sticks and knives.