Minor parking issue leads to communal flare-up

NEW DELHI: A minor tussle related to the parking of a bike brought two communities face to face with each other taking a communal colour late on Sunday night at Lal Kuan Bazar under Hauz Qazi police station in Central Delhi.

Tension gripped the locality on Monday as groups from both the communities gathered at different places. The market was closed on Monday as a mark of protest. One community accused the other of ransacking a small temple while the latter claimed that the clash erupted after some people from the other community thrashed a boy and allegedly fractured his hand. "After some altercation and scuffle over a parking issue in Hauz Qazi, tension arose between 2 groups from different communities. We've taken legal action & all efforts are being made to pacify feelings and bring about amity. People are requested to help in restoring normalcy," DCP Central MS Randhawa said. The senior police officers rushed to the spot to monitor the situation.

The police later put up barricades at various places to cordon off the area. Also, groups were called for mediation from both communities to diffuse the tension. Delhi government minister Imran Hussain too was seen trying to pacify the gathered crowd.