Fresh tension in Gonda, stones pelted on police

Fresh tension erupted in the city on Sunday after people pelted stones on police while it was dispersing the crowd, which had assembled following a clash last night over idol immersion, police said.

So far 16 persons of two communities have been arrested in connection with the clash on Saturday 

night which took place when a slipper fell among devotees who were on their way to immerse idols at Ektra crossing, they said.

On Sunday morning, while efforts were being made to disperse the crowd which had assembled near Padey Bazar police outpost, some persons pelted stones on cops from rooftops, they said.

Later, heavy force was rushed to the spot to control the situation.

In the meantime, youths of a community staged a demonstration near two shops which were torched last night.

District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Upadhyaya said that an FIR has been lodged againt 33 persons and 

150 unidentified, and and 16 people of two communities have been arrested in connection with last night’s incident.

Police was keeping a strict vigil in the city and people have been appealed to maintain harmony, Upadhyaya said.

About 12 persons, including policemen, were injured when members of two communities clashed and pelted stones at each other during idol immersion in Kotwali area on Saturday.

In a bid to control the situation, police used mild force and tear gas, police officials said.