Bharatpur, Sep 15 : At least eight persons were killed here today in a clash between two communities over a land dispute, forcing the district authorities to impose curfew in a few areas.
The clash erupted this morning when some members of Gujjar and Muslim communities confronted each other over a land-related dispute. They pelted stones and exchanged fire. “The situation further deteriorated and at least eight persons were killed in the violence till evening,” District Collector Krishna Kunal said.
Additional forces have been called in from Jaipur and other neighbouring districts to bring the situation to normalcy, Divisional Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh said. “As per primary information, they were killed in firing. Heavy deployment of force has already been done and additional forces have been called in from Jaipur and other nearby districts to control the situation,” he said. Curfew has been imposed in Pahadi, Jurera, Gopalgarh, Kaman, Sikri and Nagar areas of the district, the collector said.
According to police, alleged incorrect entry of land meant for digging a pond as a graveyard in government records by a local patwari was the cause of the clash. “Gujjars were opposed to it and claimed that the land was never meant for graveyard. The matter is sub-judice but some youths from both the sides entered heated arguments and scuffled yesterday in which two persons were injured. Today, they once again clashed and the situation worsened later, a police official said.
Additional DG (Law and Order) Navdeep Singh said in Jaipur that additional forces and senior officers have been rushed to Bharatpur.Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has called a high-level meeting to review the situation. PTI
