Two groups clash over removal of religious flags in Kawardha

Kawardha, Oct 03: Prohibitory orders were imposed in Kawardha in Kabirdham district on Sunday after people from two communities clashed over removal of religious flags from a thoroughfare, police said.
Tension erupted between Hindu and Muslim community on Sunday when members of both the sides were engaged in erecting flags and banners on electric poles on roadside for the ensuing Eid al-Fitr and Navaratri festival. In between an incident took place near Vinda Vasini temple when a ‘Hindu flag’ was burnt by a member of certain community. It enraged the members of Hindu community and they started registering protest and both the communities came face to face. Women and children of both the communities also entered the scene.
Police had held a ‘Shanti Samiti’ meeting with people on Sunday asking them remove religious flags from Lohara Chowk in view of upcoming festivals and in order to maintain peace and harmony, an official said.
“Both sides agreed to remove flags in the meeting, but some youths from both communities reached the site and the issue took an ugly turn. Police party rushed to the spot and defused the situation,” he claimed.
The women and children of both the communities even pelted stone on police. The police engaged in mild lathi-charge to control the situation and clamped Section 144 in Kawardha. Meanwhile the situation remains tense in this town. It needs to be mentioned her, 4-5 years back similar situation had erupted in Ekta Chowk.

What official says
“The situation is under control and police has been deployed in large numbers at the site. The district collector has imposed section 144 of CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure). No arrest has been made in connection with the clash.”

Mohit Garg
SP Kabirdham
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“ Members of two communities were engaged in dispute and Section 144 has been clamped. It is expected that people will maintain peace.”
Ramesh Sharma
Collector Kabirdham