Sangli continues to be tense on fourth day of clash

Sangli (Maharashtra): Tension prevails in the Sangli District of Maharashtra following a clash between two communities. The curfew, which is in force since Friday, has crippled normal life. Sangli and its neighboring town Miraj are witnessing severe clash between two communities since Thursday, when some members of a community allegedly damaged a Ganesh pendal depicting the historical scene of Shivaji killing Afzal Khan. Following the incident most of the Ganesh Mandals in the district have refused to immerse the idol. The administration is expected to review the situation on Monday evening. Maharashtra State Home Minister Jayant Patil, who also hails form the same district, visited the clash-hit areas on Sunday and urged members of both the communities to maintain peace and harmony. It all began after a temporary arch was put up by local mandals dominated by saffron alliance sympathizers. The arch displayed a scene of the slaying of Afzal Khan by Chhatrapati Shivaji. Though, initially the district administration had refused the permission to put up the arch, fearing that it would lead to tension. However, due to the mediation by the senior Shiv Sena leader Diwakar Raote the district administration granted the permission.