Vadodara tense, death toll five

      Vadodara: Tension prevailed in the Gujarati town of Vadodara on Tuesday, as the death toll from Monday's demolition- related clashes reached five, following the death of one more person from injuries suffering during a police baton charge on Tuesday. Police sources said that one person was killed and two injured when they fired to control a rioting mob in Moti Vohrawaad area. The local authorities have ordered a heavy deployment of security personnel to keep law and order under control. Police said that there were no report of clashes between Hindus and Muslims, but an alert had been sounded in sensitive areas. Curfew will be relaxed for two hours in the Raopura and Panigate areas this afternoon and for two hours in the evening at Wadi and Karelibaug.

    An indefinite curfew was imposed across half of the city on Monday after four persons were killed and 22 were injured in clashes between the police and the violent crowd. Trouble started when a Corporation team accompanied by a police contingent began demolishing the over 300-year-old Dargah of Sayed Sarsiddin Baba to widen the road near the Champaneri Gate. Objecting to the demolition of the mosque, agitated residents of the area threw stones on the municipal staff and the police, which in turn led to the baton charge, the firing of teargas shells and finally gunfire. Minister of States for Home Affairs, Sriprakash Jaiswal, who visited the city to take stock of the situation appealed to the people there to maintain peace, patience and harmony. Jaiswal also met the injured in hospital. According to Vadodara Mayor Sunil Solanki, the demolition drive has been on for more than a fortnight. So far, 1500 illegal buildings, including more than a dozen religious ones, have been demolished to widen the roads, he said. Municipal Commissioner R.K.Pathak has confirmed that before the demolition drive began, due notice was given to the trustees of the Dargah, but the latter had not responded or acknowledged receipt of the notice. The Vadodara clashes came even as Gujarat celebrated its 47th Foundation Day on Monday. It was on May 1, 1960, that the state of Gujarat was carved out of the then Bombay Presidency.

Centre rules out inquiry in Vadodara

     New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Home, Sriprakash Jaiswal, today ruled out an inquiry into Monday's demolition-related violence in Vadodara. Talking to reporters here, Jaiswal said that the local administration should have taken more care in addressing the sensitivities of the people before undertaking the demolition drive of religious edifices in the city. "Administration gives enough proof of sensitiveness. But the amount of sensitiveness and care should have been taken, if that is not taken in some places it results in such incidents," Jaiswal said "Old religious structures need special care and attention. There is no other solution to the problem except peace talks.Only talks can solve this problem," he added. Monday's riots have claimed the lives of five people. "I don't think there is any need for a separate inquiry. In future, we will be more vigilant. There is no requirement for a separate inquiry," Jaiswal said.

Back to Headlines                  Go To Top