RAJKOT: Five cops including a woman police sub-inspector were injured during a clash that broke out over taking out Tazia procession in Salaya town of Devbhumi Dwarka district on Thursday night. Police have lodged a complaint of rioting and illegal assembly against a mob of 200 people and started an investigation.
The incident occurred around 8.30pm on Thursday when police asked local residents not to take out Tazia procession and adhere to Covid-19 guidelines. “The crowd resisted and insisted on taking out the procession. There were heated arguments between locals and police following which some people started pelting stones at the cops,” said Salaya police.
Five cops including a woman police sub-inspector of Salaya marine police station and three Gram Rakshak Dal (GRD) jawans were injured in the stone-pelting. “The mob went on a rampage and attacked police vehicles. Additional forces were called in and the situation was brought under control after two hours,” police said, adding that cops baton-charged the crowd and lobbed three teargas shells.
Heavy police deployment has been done in the coastal town to prevent further escalation of violence. Local police have begun combing operation to nab the rioters.
The injured cops include woman PSI P B Zala, constable Hirendrasinh Jadeja, GRD jawans — Dileep, Kesarisinh and Kuldeepsinh.
