Jodhpur violence on Eid: 97 arrested, curfew imposed; UN reacts

Update: 2022-05-04 05:22 GMT
The FIRs indicate that the quarantine process started at 5 PM and violence erupted between 7 PM and 7:20 PM. Representative image: iStock

Rajasthan police have so far arrested 97 persons in connection with the clashes between two communities that erupted before and during Eid in Jodhpur.

Communal tension broke out in Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s hometown hours before Eid on Tuesday (May 3), prompting the authorities to impose a curfew in 10 police stations areas in the city. Also, mobile internet services were suspended.

In a tweet, Jodhpur police said a curfew has been imposed in some areas of the city till Wednesday midnight. “In the context of the current situation, a curfew has been imposed in some areas of the city. In the Jodhpur Commissionerate area, prohibitory orders are issued under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973. This order will be effective from 1 PM on 03.05.2022 till 12 midnight tomorrow.”

“Curfew is being strictly enforced in the district. Higher-level officers have been deployed here. Every small incident occurring in the district is being monitored. A total of 97 people have been arrested in connection with incidents that have occurred in Jodhpur,” said Hawa Singh Ghumaria, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), according to an ANI report.

Gehlot has alleged a BJP role in the violence. “This is the agenda of the BJP because inflation, unemployment have gone so far up, they cannot control it. So, they are doing this deliberately to divert attention,” he told NDTV.

The tension broke out past midnight over the issue of putting up Islamic flags on Jalori gate circle, which led to stone pelting in which five policemen were injured, the police control room said.

After Namaz at Eidgah near Jalori gate was over on Tuesday morning, tension escalated again with people pelting stones at shops, vehicles, and houses.

Heavy deployment of police has been made in the area, officials said. The chief minister said instructions had been issued to the administration to maintain peace and order.

Gehlot said he held a high-level meeting with police officials and appealed to the public to maintain peace. “People of all societies and religions in Rajasthan have been celebrating all festivals with love and brotherhood and especially Jodhpur is known for its adoption. This tradition should continue. I appeal to the general public to maintain peace,” he tweeted.

“The incident in Jodhpur is unfortunate, any incident affecting the communal harmony anywhere in the state damages the peace and law and order in the society. The offender, irrespective of religion, caste or class, should not be spared if he is found to be involved in a crime,” he added.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reacted to the violence in Jodhpur.

“I think the basic point is our hope that the various communities will work together and that the government and the security forces will ensure that everyone can go about their activities, including their celebratory activities, peacefully,” Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said on Tuesday.

Haq was responding to a question on whether the Secretary-General has a response to incidents of violence in Jodhpur coinciding with the festival of Eid.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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