30 injured as two communities fight over loudspeakers

Around 30 people, including three policemen, were injured as a clash between two communities broke out in Ghaziabad over the use of loudspeakers, police said on Monday.

Several vehicles were set on fire and shops looted and gutted in the Sunday night frenzy at Farid Nagar.

According to police officials, trouble erupted when the two communities quarrelled over the use of loudspeakers in two adjacent places of worship.

As some youths from one community forcibly tried to shut down the loudspeaker of the other community, the quarrel led to widespread clashes.

Senior police officials including Deputy Inspector General (Meerut), Ramit Sharma, rushed to the spot and diverted traffic from National Highway 58 to National Highway 24 via Hapur.

Police have registered a case for rioting against hundreds of people including former Farid Nagar chairman Lalit Garg and a local councillor identified only as Arif.

The entry of political leaders into the town has been restricted.

“Sufficient force, including PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary), has been deployed in the area... The situation is under control,” said Inspector General Alok Sharma.