Communal tension returns to haunt Atali village; 6 hurt

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Ballabgarh, July 1

More than a month after communal violence forced members of a minority community in Atali village of Ballabgarh, Faridabad, to flee for their lives, fresh clashes in the area today left nearly six persons injured.

Additional police force has been rushed to the village, which has been tense since the beginning of May over the construction of a place of worship at a disputed site.

The situation turned ugly today after members of two communities resorted to stone pelting and mob violence after a fresh quarrel over the use of the disputed site. “A group of women performing kirtan near the disputed site accused some youths of disturbing them. Thereafter, members of the two communities resorted to violence,” a youth said.

However, a member of the minority community alleged that stones were hurled at them while they were offering prayers around 2.30pm. Some families have reportedly been shifted to the Chhainsa village police station.

On May 25, members of both communities resorted to violence, the place of worship under dispute was burnt, houses were set afire and belongings were abandoned. The members of the minority community took refuge at a police station for nine days.