Communal violence rocks Rajasthan, curfew imposed

Vehicles and shops torched, situation in Chhabra town tense

Dozens of vehicles and shops were torched and vandalised by mobs as communal violence broke out on Sunday in Chhabra town of Baran district following the stabbing of two youths, forcing authorities to clamp curfew and suspend internet. Police used tear gas to disperse the violent crowds but members of two communities, armed with sticks, iron rods and weapons, continued the rampage late in the evening, even setting ablaze a fire tender and damaging public property, including police and government vehicles. “The situation is very tense. Violence by the mobs has been continuing and we are trying to control the situation,” said Superintendent of Police (Baran) Vineet Bansal. There was no immediate official word on any casualties.