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Clashes break out in Rajouri after India-Pakistan match (GreaterKashmir.com) 9/26/2007Rajouri, Sept 25: At least 35 people including some senior police officers were injured in the clashes which broke out between two communities in Rajouri district after India defeated Pakistan in the Twenty-20 cricket final in South Africa on Monday night. The authorities have ordered closure of all educational institutions in the district while troops have been kept on alert to prevent escalation of violence.
Eyewitnesses said the tension erupted in the town at around 8.45 pm when hundreds of activists belonging to a particular community took out a procession to celebrate Indias victory over Pakistan at Johannesburg in South Africa.
After marching in the market, the processionists gathered at the main gate of Jamia Masjid Rajouri near Town Hall and fired crackers, besides raising objectionable and provocative slogans. In the meantime, the people who were performing Taravi prayers in the mosque came out and asked the processionists to move from there and let them perform the prayers.
But they continued with the sloganeering and fired more crackers. This was objected by the other group, resulting in clashes between the two groups, Shafqat Wani, one of the eyewitnesses, told Greater Kashmir.
In the initial round of clashes, about half a dozen people from both the sides got injured. However, police immediately swung into action and took over control of the town. The injured included Superintendent Police Rajouri Tej Ram Katoch, SHO Rajouri Tajinder Singh and one more officer.
Clashes again broke out on Tuesday morning between one group and police near Police Chowki Rajouri, causing injuries to 25 people including some policemen. Police used batons, lobbed teargas shells and fired some gun shots in the air to disperse the mob. The clashes took place despite the imposition of Section 144 in the town.
SP Rajouri, Tej Ram Katoch said, When the procession was stopped by police near chowki they started throwing stones on our men. On this we used mild force to disperse the mob. The situation is under control and we have kept Army stand by to take over the town if needed. The police has also taken nearly half a dozen miscreants into custody after the fresh clashes.
In a separate clash, five students were reportedly injured in the clashes between the two groups in Government Post Graduate College Rajouri. Soon after the incident, the District Magistrate ordered closure of all educational institutions in the town.
Reports reaching from Sunderbani and Nowshehra towns said the situation was tense but no untoward incident has been reported.
Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Rafiq Ahmed Sheikh appealed both the communities to Maintain calm and harmony and defeat the designs of some miscreants who have their agendas hidden under religious grabs.
Meanwhile, reports from Reasi district said a group of people carried out a huge procession in front of a mosque where people were busy in offering Taravi prayers soon after India defeated Pakistan in South Africa. Later some persons forced entry into the mosque, leading to a scuffle between the two groups, reports added.
According to DC Reasi, Sanjeev Verma the situation is under control. There was some misunderstanding between two communities. The issue has now been sorted out, Verma told Greater Kashmir over phone.
Somewhere in England there's a PDFer going


Lesson? You can't celebrate your victory over Pak in Kashmir
