Tension in MP town after communal clashes over India’s cricket victory

INDORE/MHOW: Communal clashes erupted in Mhow, 25km from Indore, late Sunday night during celebrations of India’s victory in ICC Champions Trophy. Police resorted to lathicharge and fired teargas after arson and stone-pelting between two groups.
Around midnight, collector Ashish Singh told TOI that order had been restored and things were under control. IG-rural Anurag told TOI, “A group of youths was taking out a procession in Mhow market to celebrate Team India’s victory over New Zealand on Sunday night. When the procession was passing through Jama Masjid area, a group of people started pelting stones at it.”
This triggered a heated exchange and both parties attacked each other, said police. The violence started in Jama Masjid area and spread to Manek Chowk, Sewa Marg, Market Chowk and Rajesh Mohalla. “Two vehicles were set on fire. We are not sure how many people were injured but the clash was contained immediately through heavy deployment of forces from. Additional forces have been called in,” said the IG.
Sources said a shop and several vehicles were torched, but police hadn’t given out official figures at the time this report was filed. Shopkeeper Sandeep Dayma told TOI about a dozen two-wheelers were set on fire.