Violence erupted between two groups in Haryana's Nuh on Monday after stones were pelted at a Hindu organisation's religious procession.
Two Home Guard personnel were killed in the violence and at least 15 others, including many police personnel, were injured. Several vehicles were also set on fire.
The internet services have been shut in the area amid "intense communal situation" and reinforcements have been rushed to Nuh from neighbouring districts. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said it is dispatching 15 additional companies of central forces to Haryana from outside the state. Earlier in the evening, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said three companies had already reached Haryana.
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Videos from the region show several cars burnt in the violence. As tensions gripped the region, prohibitory orders banning assembly of people were imposed in Nuh and neighbouring Gurugram.
How did violence start in Haryana's Nuh?
Violence broke out in Nuh after Vishva Hindu Parishad's (VHP) Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra (a religious procession) was stopped by a group of young men near Khedla Mod area and stones were pelted at the Yatra, reported PTI, citing police.
After stones were pelted at them, people in the procession hurled stones back at the youths who had stopped them, according to reports.
At least four cars, part of the procession, were set on fire, reported PTI, adding that some police vehicles were also damaged.
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Visuals from the region show police personnel carrying out flag marches.
As the news of violence in Muslim-dominated Nuh spread, mobs in adjoining Gurugram district's Sohna area set four vehicles and a shop on fire, apparently belonging to people from that community, reported PTI, adding that protesters blocked a road for hours.
Two Home Guards shot dead, DSP shot in head
Two Home Guard personnel have so far been killed in the violence and many police personnel have been injured.
An official confirmed to PTI that at least one deceased Home Guard, identified as Neeraj, died from a bullet injury.
Gurugram Police Commissioner Kala Ramachandran told PTI that 10 police personnel were injured in the violence.
A second official told PTI that eight injured police personnel were admitted to the Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.
Among the injured, Hodal Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sajjan Singh was shot in the head and an inspector was shot in the stomach, reported PTI.
The police had to resort to tear gas to disperse the mob and contain the situation.
Around 2,500 people stranded at temple rescued
Around 2,500 people, part of the procession that came under attack, had taken shelter at a Shiva temple in Nuh.
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These stranded people, including women and children, have been rescued, said Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij.
Earlier, NDTV reported that their vehicles were parked outside the temple and massive violence was going on there. It took several hours for them to be rescued, according to reports.
The procession was flagged off earlier from Gurugram’s Civil Lines by BJP District President Gargi Kakkar and a police contingent was deployed with the procession, reported PTI, adding that some people were injured. The police did not immediately give the numbers of injured people. Independently, however, NDTV earlier in the evening reported that 20 people had been injured and one had been shot.
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The trigger was an objectionable video posted on social media by a Bajrang Dal activist in Ballabhgarh, reported PTI, citing claims made about the violence. The news agency further said there were also reports that Monu Manesar, a cow vigilante wanted in the murder of two Muslim men from Rajasthan, was supposed to join the VHP's yatra.
3 companies of central forces reach Haryana, 15 being sent
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that 15 companies of central forces were being sent to Haryana from outside the state.
Earlier in the evening, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said the state government has despatched additional forces to Nuh from neighbouring districts, reported PTI. He also said that three companies of central forces had already reached the state. Vij said he is in regular touch with senior officials.
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"Our first priority is to bring situation under control. We are appealing to all to maintain peace," Vij told PTI.
Vij told PTI he also spoke to Haryana Director General of Police, Additional Chief Secretary, and other senior officials.
Internet shut down in Nuh, Faridabad
Internet shutdowns and school-closures have been ordered in Nuh and nearby districts of Palwal and Faridabad.
Mobile internet services were suspended in Nuh and Faridabad up to Wednesday, reported PTI.
Educational institutes were also shut for Tuesday in Faridabad and Palwal districts as a precautionary measure, according to PTI.
The administration has ordered the closure of all educational institutions in Gurugram as well.
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Monu Manesar didn't participate in procession: Report
Cow vigilante Monu Manesar, accused in the deaths of two Muslim men from Rajasthan, said he did not participate in the religious procession after the organiser VHP told him not to.
"The vigilante [Monu Manesar], however, told PTI that he did not participate on the advice of the VHP, which feared that his presence would create tension. There were also threats on Twitter daring him to come to Nuh," reported PTI.
NDTV, however, reported that people claimed to have seen Manesar in the procession.
"Sources said Bajrang Dal member Monu Manesar and his associates – suspect in several criminal cases -- had circulated the video a few days ago and openly challenged that he would stay in Mewat during the yatra," reported NDTV.
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Mewat is the name of the historical and cultural region the district of Nuh is located in. The region is spread across districts in Haryana and neighbouring Rajasthan.
