Saturday, September 16 2006 12:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Supporters of Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Ahmed Bukhari and Delhi Deputy Speaker Shoaib Iqbal clashed outside the historic mosque here yesterday (Sept 15,2006) leaving four persons, including two policemen, injured.

The trouble began in the afternoon when scores of persons led by Iqbal, the local MLA, assembled outside the mosque in Old Delhi to protest Pope Benedict XVI's controversial remarks at a time when Bukhari's Friday speech was on.

Tempers ran high after both sides shouted slogans against each other over the public address system leading to a commotion. A scuffle broke out soon after as both sides resorted to stone pelting.

Tension was witnessed in the area following the clash and reinforcements, including Rapid Action Force, were rushed in to prevent the situation from going out of control.

After about two hours, police dispersed the crowd, defusing the situation which could have turned volatile.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Neeraj Thakur told sources that two policemen and two others were injured in stone pelting. However, unconfirmed reports said 12 persons, including eight police personnel suffered injuries.

Former Municipal councilor Hafiz Salimuddin suffered minor injuries in the melee, one of the warring groups said.

The relations between Bukhari and Iqbal are strained as the cleric had issued a fatwa against the politician during last Assembly elections.

Iqbal and his supporters later regrouped in the evening, shouting slogans against the Shahi Imam and demanding his resignation from the post.