Bhopal: Tension gripped the sensitive old city after a clash between two groups near a Durga pandal at Kainchi Chola area in Bhopal leading to heavy deployment of police personnel.

Trouble erupted when a group of youth from the nearby Iranian settlement colony stormed the Durga puja venue, attacked some youngsters present there in the afternoon and reportedly caused minor damage to the Durga idol, police said.

Within minutes, a large number of people including activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Rastriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), Bajrang Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rushed to the spot and demanded immediate action against the miscreants.

As two groups confronted each other shouting slogans and indulging in stone throwing, police in strength reached the spot and took prompt steps to disperse the crowd.

In a bid to prevent any serious flare up, the entire area was cordoned off and police personnel were deployed in narrow lane and by-lanes to stop anti-social elements and potential trouble-makers from moving towards the puja venue.

Superintendent of Police Arun Pratap Singh told reporters that two persons have been arrested in connection with the incident and all precautionary measures taken to restore normalcy.

He said the Durga idol, which was slightly damaged has been replaced and "the situation is now normal and fully under control. There is festive atmosphere in the area".

Singh said neither anybody has been injured in the incident nor prohibitory order issued in the area.

PTI