Eleven held over Dangs brawl

SURAT, April 11: The Dangs police on Sunday arrested 11 people in connection with a brawl in Borkhal village last night, when about half-...

SURAT, April 11: The Dangs police on Sunday arrested 11 people in connection with a brawl in Borkhal village last night, when about half-a-dozen members of one family were injured in a clash with villagers over a trivial issue. The injured included a Christian couple and three of their Hindu relatives.

Borkhal village Karbhari Manglu Soma Bagul said in his police complaint that he was watching television at his house when there was a power cut. Soon afterwards, he alleged, a mob led by teacher Chandubhai gathered around his house and accused him of disconnecting the power from a Gujarat Electricity Board distribution point to harass the villagers.

Despite his contentions that he could not have done anything of that sort, Bagul said he was severely beaten up, while his wife Shituben, son Jayesh and three children of his sister were also severely wounded.

The injured were later transferred to the Ahwa Civil Hospital in the police jeep sent to the village to investigate the matter.

According to CNI district superintendent T V Gaikwad, who was informed of the incident by Bagul, two of the injured had been admitted to hospital, while the others were discharged after first aid.

While he was not sure if the incident had any communal undertones, Gaikwad threatened last night to go on a fast if the accused were not arrested. Local BJP leaders, on the other hand, alleged that it was Bagul who had switched off the power supply. Claiming that all 11 accused had been arrested, DSP Manoj Sashidhar told Express Newsline that SRP personnel had been posted in the village as a precautionary measure. 8220;A cross-complaint has also been filed against Bagul, accusing him of starting the trouble8221;, he added.

While local BJP leaders alleged that it was Bagul who had switched off the electricity, the DSP said the incident was anything but communal in nature. Highlighting the trend, he said that last week, a communal tinge had been given to an essentially domestic tussle between two brothers 8212; one Hindu and one Christian 8212; in Zadsaul village. Their five-year-long fight had suddenly attracted attention when one burnt the other8217;s house just because they happened to be of different faiths, Sashidhar said.