Mild tension after two groups clash during pre-Holi celebrations in T'gana

Clashes erupted between two groups over playing loud music near a religious place in Hyderabad, leaving four injured. Police intervened and dispersed the groups, registering two cases. BJP President claimed it was an attack on Hindu women and demanded arrests. Police used mild force to disperse protesters demanding justice for the women.

Members of two groups belonging to different communities clashed and pelted each other with stones following arguments over ''playing loud music'' near a religious place at Chengicherla on city outskirts, police said on Monday.

Mild tension prevailed in the area on Sunday evening after scuffle broke out between the two groups, in which four persons suffered minor injuries even as police dispersed the groups.

According to police, one group used loudspeakers near the religious place and played songs during pre-Holi celebrations on Sunday following which members of another community, attending prayers objected to it and asked them to lower the volume (of the loudspeakers) that led to arguments between them and both the groups including women attacked each other.

Union Minister and BJP president in Telangana G Kishan Reddy, who visited the area Monday evening, alleged that the incident was an attack on ''Hindu women'' and that he would take it to the notice of Election Commission.

Police intervened and dispersed the groups. Police said loudspeakers were used without any prior intimation or permission from the police and authorities. Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in force in Telangana in view of the Lok Sabha elections on May 13.

Two cases were registered and investigation is underway, a senior police official of Rachakonda Police Commissionerate told PTI, adding the situation is under control.

The official further said they were also verifying videos and based on collection of evidence the cases will be finalised.

Meanwhile, members of some Hindu organisations held a protest in the area on Monday demanding arrest of those who ''attacked'' the women.

As the protesters tried to march ahead after pushing aside the barricades, police used ''mild force'' to disperse them.

The protesters were then seen raising slogans.

Talking to reporters, Kishan Reddy alleged that ''communal fanatics'', who came from other states to work in a slaughterhouse in the area, entered into a quarrel and attacked women who were organising Holi festivities as per their custom. Though 24 hours have passed, no arrests have been made, he claimed.

Condemning the inadequate response of police on the ''attacks'', he said police should function as per law without coming under the influence of anyone as the model of conduct for Lok Sabha polls is in force. He alleged that the police ''have completely failed'' in preventing the ''attack by goondas.'' The ''slaughterhouse mafia'' at Chengicharla is behind all this, he alleged. A ''crime kingdom'' has been established in the area, he said. ''Would police have courage to act this way if the incident on any other section? No. The negligence of police because they are Hindus, poor, women and do not have politics, it needs to be condemned,'' he said.