Communal tension in Ratlam over claims of stone-pelting at Ganesh Chaturthi procession

The first stone-pelting incident took place in the Mochipura area of the city on Saturday night when some people were carrying an idol for installation as part of the 10-day festival.

Superintendent of Police Rahul Kumar Lodha said police had initially received a complaint that someone was injured when a stone was allegedly thrown near the pandal area. “An FIR was registered against unknown persons in connection with this case, “Lodha said.

Nearly 500 people gheraoed Station Road police station on Saturday night demanding action against an unidentified person who threw a stone at the Ganesh procession in Mochipura area, police said.

Police rushed to the spot for investigation. The crowd followed the police to the scene, the official said. Someone threw a stone again and stone-pelting ensued in which a police vehicle’s glass broke. Police were forced to use force to disperse the crowd.

Police from Jaora town in Ratlam and Dhar district have been called in and heavy security has been deployed around the city, the SP said. The situation is under control, he added.

“No idol was destroyed in the alleged stone-pelting. We will look into allegations that some people were injured in stone pelting and are looking into CCTV footage to ascertain the same,” the SP said.