50 locals booked for violent clashed in Anand

A day after violent clashes broke out between two communities in Akbarpur area of Khambhat town in Anand district, a case has been registered against 50 persons involved in the mayhem. Police also conducted a massive combing operation on Friday to trace the miscreants involved in violence and arson. However, they were unsuccessful in locating the real culprits as most of them had managed to flee from their homes.

The clashes erupted over a land dispute between Hindu Chunara community and local Muslims. According to GS Malik, Range IG, a case has been registered against the persons involved in the clashes.

Malik said, "We conducted combing operation and took statements of residents. After primary investigation, we identified 50 persons from both the communities and lodged cases against them. However, majority of them fled from their houses." Malik had rushed to Khambhat on Thursday on learning about the clashes.

Cops said the dispute began when locals of Chunara community learned about some construction on the land owned by Waqf Board in the area. "In 2006, the court had banned any type of construction on the land. But, they became angry after they found that some shops were being constructed on the land," said Malik.

Police sources said more than 36 persons including nine policemen were also injured in the clashes.