Christians, Hindus clash in Batala; curfew clamped

Members of Christian and Hindu communities clashed and indulged in vandalising public property here today over publication of a picture of Jesus Christ in an allegedly objectionable manner, prompting authorities to clamp an indefinite curfew.
    
Police said members of the Christian community took out a protest march through the town during which some of them turned violent and set afire six two-wheelers, damaged three buses, a shopping mall and around 50 shops in different areas.
    
They were protesting against the publication of a picture of Jesus Christ in a book by a Delhi-based publisher recently which was reproduced in some newspapers in the state.
    
Protestors belonging to Hindu community also took to the streets and tried to set on fire a church, police said adding, the damage to the place of worship was minimal as the fire brigade and the police reached the spot in time.
    
Sub-divisional magistrate Rahul Chabha said curfew has been clamped to maintain law and order. Police patrolling has been intensified and additional personnel deployed.
    
The building of the Government Primary School in Krishna Nagar area was also damaged, police said.
    
Clashes took place in nearby Majitha town yesterday over the issue with reports of protestors damaging shops and torching vehicles.