Tension in Palwal: Union home ministry asks for a report from Haryana BJP government on communal spark

NEW DELHI: The Union home ministry has sought a report from the new BJP government in Haryana on the communal tension that erupted in Palwal district on Tuesday night. The ministry has noted the first such incident under the new government with concern and asked Chief Minister Jagdish Khattar-led government to furnish a detailed report, officials said.

Indefinite curfew has been clamped in Hathin town of Palwal district since midnight after protestors set ablaze the official vehicle of the district commissioner as well as a motorcycle showroom and a medical store.

As per a preliminary intelligence report available with the home ministry, trouble started on November 11 evening when a group of Muslims offered namaz in a mosque, which is said to be a disputed structure, and the Hindu community raised objections. “Activists of Ram Sena Sangathan set ablaze some kiosks, cow dung and wooden heaps belonging to the Muslims,” the report says.

Later in the night, “unidentified miscreants” set ablaze two vehicles including those belonging to the deputy commissioner of Palwal along with two stores, according to the report. “As a precautionary measure, the district administration had imposed an indefinite curfew in the town since midnight,” it adds.