Rajasthan Police Arrests 105 Over Communal Clashes in Karauli, Govt Starts Probe

A report on the matter will reportedly be submitted in 15 days.

Over two dozen people sustained injuries in the communal clashes that broke out in Karauli Rajasthan on 2 April. 

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

The Rajasthan government on Friday, 8 April, ordered an administrative probe into the stone-pelting incident that occurred on the Hindu new year's day in Karauli, news agency ANI reported. The report on the matter will reportedly be submitted in 15 days.

Rajasthan DGP Mohan Lal Lather indicated that 105 people had been arrested and a fair probe was being conducted into the incident, as per ANI. He said,

"The way the procession was taken out was dubious, songs played were objectionable and that's why stone pelting took place."

Curfew in Karauli Nagar Parishad

The curfew imposed in Karauli Nagar Parishad was extended till 12 am on Sunday, 10 April. It was earlier imposed till Thursday.

As per an official statement, the curfew will be relaxed between 9 am and 12 pm daily, during which fruit and vegetable stores, general stores, dairies, fuel stations, and gas agencies will be allowed to function.

On 2 April, Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was imposed in the Karauli district and mobile internet services were shut down after stones were pelted during a 'Shobha Yatra' procession that day.

Mobile internet services continue to remain suspended in the area.

'Karauli MLA Trying To Save the Accused': BJP MP

Meanwhile, BJP MP Dr Kirodi Lal Meena said, "A Karauli MLA is trying to save the accused. I'd like to advice the MLA to not save people who did such a big crime, instead present them to the police. I demand from Rajasthan govt to punish the culprits & arrest them, or I'll protest [sic]."

Congress' Sachin Pilot said the matter should not be politicised.

"If there is a person or a group from an anti-social background, strict action should be taken against them. Hoping that police will do its job. Matter should not politicized [sic]."

"Be it Rajasthan or any other place, wherever there's violence, a transparent probe should be done. A strict action should be taken. No place for violence in a civilized society regardless of which party, religion, caste a person hails from [sic]," he added.

The Incident

Communal clashes erupted in Karauli after a bike rally organised on the occasion of the Hindu new year's was allegedly met with stone-pelting, leading to a confrontation between two groups.

The clashes led to arson. Shops and vehicles were set ablaze, while over two dozen people sustained injuries.

Mohan Lal Lather said that most regions in the state celebrated the festival with amity, except for Karauli, reported ANI.

He said,

"Such an incident happened in Karauli as no procession was taken out there since 2015. Permission was given to organisers after monitoring situation but not for usage of DJs [sic]."

A day after the clash, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in a statement to the media, said, "Those involved in inciting riots will not be spared and stringent action will be taken against them. Rule of law will be followed in the state."

(With inputs from ANI.)