The death toll in the violent clashes between members of Bharwad and Rajput communities in Gujarat's Morbi and Surendranagar districts has risen to two, police said on 14 July.
A man died of a bullet injury last evening in Halvad while another person, who was attacked with a sword at a village near Dhrangadhra, succumbed in the early hours today (Friday). Both of them were from the Bharwad community. Few others were also injured. We have formed three teams to nab the culpritsDipak Kumar Meghani, Surendranagar Superintendent of Police
Violent clashes between members of the Bharwad and Rajput communities in two districts of Gujarat on 13 July had left one person dead and two seriously injured, the police said.
The clashes, during which firearms were used, took place in Morbi and adjoining Surendranagar district, where Internet services have been suspended for the time being to curb rumour mongering, officials said.
Incidents of arson, stone-pelting and rioting were reported from near Morbi district's Halvad town and in some villages around Surendranagar's Dhrangadhra town, the police said.
Trouble began when members of the Rajput community had an altercation with the Bharwads while they were going to Dhrangadhra for a condolence meeting of Rajput leader Indrasinh Zala, who was hacked to death last Friday, officers at the Morbi police control said.
Some Rajputs and Bharwads came face-to-face near Halvad after some persons hurled stones on the former. The groups clashed when the Rajputs from different parts of Morbi district were headed towards Dhrangadhra to attend Zala’s ‘besna’ (condolence meet).Jaypalsinh Rathod, SP (Morbi)
During the clashes in Halvad on Thursday evening, around 30 vehicles were torched. One person from the Bharwad community died, while two others were seriously injured, he said.
The situation is under control as a large number of police personnel have been deployed on the Halvad-Dhrangadhra road.Jaypalsinh Rathod, SP (Morbi)
Meanwhile, Gujarat Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja urged the people from both the communities to remain calm.
To prevent spread of rumours, we have suspended Internet services in Morbi and Surendranagar. As many as seven companies of the State Reserve Police have been sent to control the situation. SPs of Rajkot, Jamnagar and Gandhidham districts along with three Range IGs were also sent to the affected areas.Pradeepsinh Jadeja, Gujarat Minister of State for Home
Zala, a former president of Dhrangadhra municipality, was in jail since 2013 in connection with the murder of a Bharwad community member and was hacked to death a day after he was released on parole.
Since then, the situation in Dhrangadhra has been tense, said an official of the Surendranagar police control room.
According to Surendranagar SP Deepak Kumar Meghani, violence in Halvad sparked clashes near Dhrangadhra.
After Halvad, clashes spread to Dhrangadhra. Violent mobs also torched several vehicles and attacked shops at Chuli village. We have called for reinforcements to tackle the situation.Deepak Kumar Meghani, Surendranagar SP
We all love to express ourselves, but how often do we do it in our mother tongue?Here's your chance! This Independence Day, khul ke bol with BOL – Love your Bhasha. Sing, write, perform, spew poetry – whatever you like – in your mother tongue. Send us your BOL at bol@thequint.com or WhatsApp it to 9910181818.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)