Two people were killed and 30 were injured overnight when
mobs went on a rampage in riot-hit Ahmedabad city in the western Indian state
of Gujarat.
At least 5 people have been arrested after the fresh outbreak of violence
between Hindus and Muslims that continued into the early hours of Friday
morning.
Mobs from both sides clashed in the Jamalpur area of the Muslim-dominated
walled city late on Thursday night and set ablaze shops and houses.
There was pitched battle on the streets of Gaekwar police station area as
police chased the rioters through the empty roads.
Police and security personnel also opened on the arsonists in which two members
of the public and two policemen were injured.
Assistant Commissioner of Police SK Dave said police have so far arrested five
people for the incident.
"In Gaekwar police station, there were two mobs-- they started with stone
pelting and then there was a bomb blast...They used cloths (soaked in petrol),
moreover they used crackers and bombs (hurled) from terraces. There was arson
from both sides. Police with the help of fire brigade, controlled it," he
said.
"After that, again in a second area, same incident took place. There also
we lobbed tear gas. Police also opened fire. Two members of the public and two
policemen were injured. Right now, the situation is under control. Local crime
branch and senior police officers undertook combing operations. We have so far
arrested five people for arson and blasting," he added.
The government has come under intense fire from its own allies as well as the
opposition over the violence.
It has stuck steadfastly by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi despite
strident opposition calls for his removal.
More than 800 people, mostly Muslims, have been killed in Gujarat in India's
bloodiest Hindu-Muslim clashes in a decade