A violent clash erupted between two communities in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, over an online post during a Garba festival. Several vehicles and shops were damaged in stone-pelting and arson, and police detained 50 people.
Gandhinagar: A violent clash occurred between two communities in Bahiyal village of Gandhinagar district, Gujarat, over an online post during a Garba festival. Stone-pelting ensued, and several vehicles and shops were set on fire. A large police force has been deployed to the scene, and 50 people have been taken into custody. This incident has created a situation of fear and tension among local residents.
Dispute Initiated by an Online Post
According to the police, the dispute began over a social media post. A young man from one community wrote in his post that "#ILoveMahadev" should be written instead of "#iLoveMuhammad". People from the other community became enraged by this post and attacked the young man's tea shop.
As the violence spread, the nearby Garba ceremony was also targeted. Stone-pelting and pushing caused panic among the participants, leading to a stampede. This post transformed a minor dispute into a major conflict.
Rapid Violence at the Scene
The clash occurred late Wednesday night in Suncity Colony. According to eyewitnesses, the crowd vandalized shops and set some on fire. More than eight vehicles were damaged. The scene of violence was captured on camera, showing people throwing stones at each other and attacking with sticks.
In the video, a woman was seen frantically calling for her children. The crowd set fires and also threatened those who tried to extinguish them. The situation was completely out of control, forcing the police to intervene bly.
Mob Attacked Police
Local police officers arrived at the scene, but the mob also targeted them. Two police vehicles were damaged during the clash. Police deployed heavy forces to bring the situation under control. Officials stated that the situation in the area is still not entirely under control.
Police reported that several people were injured. They appealed to residents not to post anything on social media and to cooperate with the investigation. Police teams are still working to identify and arrest those involved in the violence.
