Mumbai: The situation in Dhule in north Maharashtra, which witnessed communal violence Sunday leading to four deaths and injuries to 122 people, was under control Monday, barring stray incidents of violence in a couple of pockets, a top police official said.

"There are small incidents still coming in from the Old City area and Bhadag Chawl areas of Dhule, barring which the situation is fully under control," Dhule Superintendent of Police Sunil Kolhe told IANS Monday afternoon.

He said the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and additional police forces from neighbouring cities have been deployed in the town.

Deputy Chief Minister R.R. Patil, who holds the home portfolio, visited the town in the afternoon. Rajvardhan Kadambande, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator from Dhule, accompanied him around the main riot-affected areas of Azad Nagar, Bhangar Bazaar, Mogulai, Gurudwara and Ekveera Devi Chowk.

According to the police, on Sunday morning, some people from a particular community allegedly raised objections to and tore off posters and banners put up by the Hindu Raksha Samiti, inviting people for a public meeting in the Ram Mandir Chowk in the evening.

Following the violent reactions, the police resorted to caning, and burst teargas shells, opened fire, and imposed curfew.

Four people were killed in the violence and 122 injured, including Additional Collector M.Y. Patil, Special Inspector General of Police S.P. Gupte, S.P. Kolhe and Azad Nagar Police Station head Rajput.

While Rajput continues to be in hospital, all other police and civil officials who sustained minor injuries have been treated and discharged from hospital, Kolhe said.

 

Source : ians