A day after communal clashes erupted during a religious procession at Nuh in Haryana killing three, reports claim the violence may have been triggered by the rumours that a murder-accused cow vigilante was attending the rally.
There were speculations that Monu Manesar, a cow vigilante booked earlier for the murder of two Muslim men whose charred bodies were found in the Bhiwani district in February, was in the procession. However, Manesar told PTI that he did not participate on the advice of the VHP, which feared that his presence would create tension.
There were also threats in social media challenging Manesar to come to Nuh.
Police said the 'Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra' was flagged off from Gurugram's Civil Lines by BJP district president Gargi Kakkar around 2 pm. However, 10 minutes into the processions, stones were pelted at those taking part in the procession. The Hindu side initially fled, but then allegedly regrouped and retaliated, said reports. This happened despite the presence of a strong police contingent.
Two home guards were killed and at least 15 others, including several policemen, were injured after the clashes.
Besides stone pelting, cars, which were part of the procession, were also set on fire. Two police cars were damaged and footage doing rounds on social media showed vehicles on fire. The clip also contained the sound of gunfire.
The deceased include home guards Neeraj and Gursevak. While Neeraj was killed due to a gunshot wound, Gurusevak's cause of death is unknown. Eight other police personnel have been admitted to Gurugram's Medanta Hospital, and the injured include Hodal Deputy Superintendent of Police Sajjan Singh, who suffered a bullet wound in the head. Another official was shot in the stomach.
Meanwhile, the state government has sought 20 companies of the Rapid Action Force from the Centre for a week to maintain the law and order situation in Nuh district.
"I am directed to address you on the subject (seeking 20 companies of RAF)... incidents causing intense communal tension, annoyance, obstruction and injury to persons, danger to human life and property, disturbance to public peace and tranquility in district Nuh have occurred on account of violent protests by agitators, protesters, miscreants and anti-social elements," Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary (Home), T V S N Prasad wrote to the Union Home secretary on Monday.
Prohibitory orders, internet shutdown
Prohibitory orders banning the assembly of people were clamped in Nuh and Gurugram districts. Mobile internet services were suspended in Nuh and Faridabad up to Wednesday.
Educational institutes were ordered closed Tuesday in Gurugram, Faridabad and Palwal districts as a precautionary measure.
Central forces will also be deployed to neighbouring Sohna after violence began to spread in the area. Mobs in Sohna set ablaze four vehicles and a shop, apparently belonging to people from a certain community.
In the wake of "intense communal tension" in Haryana's Nuh, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and other leaders cutting across party lines have appealed to people to maintain peace and harmony in the state.
Khattar also said that "strictest action" will be taken against those responsible for the incident.
"Today's incident is unfortunate. I appeal to all the people to maintain peace in the state. The guilty will not be spared at any cost, and the strictest action will be taken against them," the chief minister said in a tweet in Hindi.
(With inputs from PTI)
