Wedding procession squabble turns ugly

A group of youths from Bhimnagar near Panchgani allegedly assaulted Shivaji Rajpure and Bajirao Rajpure in Rajapuri village with swords and other lethal weapons after a squabble between two groups over giving way to a shrimant poojan 8212; pre-marriage processions, reports said. Both Shivaji and Bajirao sustained serious injuries in the attack. Retaliating, the people of Rajpuri tried to burn the fuel tank of a tempo MH-11/ F-2112 in which Rajeshwar Kamble and other youths from Bhimnagar were travelling. Both the groups indulged in heavy stone-pelting for about an hour, it was stated. PSI A T Khobre who had rushed to the spot, fired two rounds in the air to disperse the mob.

Both Shivaji and Bajirao Rajpure were later taken to the hospital while 23 others who had sustained minor injuired were given medical aid at Panchgani. Police later rounded up 21 persons.

Mild tension prevailed in both the villages till late Monday morning. Senior police officials were monitoring the situation which was stated to be under control.