By India Tomorrow Staff Reporter,
Pratapgarh, New Delhi, 16 Jan 2014: While curfew continued for third consecutive day here today in two villages of Pratapgarh district of Rajasthan following violent communal clashes, leaders of political fraternity and civil society have condemned the incident and said a scuffle between two individuals or groups should not be seen and treated as a communal riot.
“Please don’t name scuffle among some anti-social elements as a communal riot. It hurts sentiments of good people in both communities,” Rashid Hussain, state president of Welfare Party of India, told India Tomorrow.
“Administration must act swiftly and strongly to maintain peace and harmony,” Hussain added.
Khan Shaed Khan, president of Anjuman Furqania, a Pratapgarh based organization, also condemned the incident and accused local Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders for prolonging the clash.
“This was not any big clash but people belonging to RSS spread it,” Khan told India Tomorrow.
The clashes took place Jan 14 between members of two communities in Kotadi in Pratapgarh district, some 300 km from Jaipur.
“The clashes were triggered following a verbal spat between members of two communities. They indulged in firing and arson. Three people were shot dead in the clashes,” a police officer said.
The tension spread to nearby villages and over a dozen houses were set ablaze by rioters.
Police have been deployed and curfew clamped in the affected areas. Six people have been arrested for their involvement in riots.
“We have not lifted the curfew in Kotadi village. We are assessing the situation,” the officer said.
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With inputs from IANS
