211 rioters arrested, 19 cases registered for communal violence in Jodhpur during Eid.

A rioter snatched baton from Police personnel and hit him with his own baton (Image: Dainik Bhaskar)

Police informed that 211 people have been arrested for inciting communal riots in Rajasthan's Jodhpur ahead of Eid celebrations that left several people and policemen injured while 19 cases have been registered.

• Of the 211, 191 have been arrested under section 151 of the India Penal Code (IPC).

Rajasthan Director General of Police (DGP) ML Lather said that the situation in Jodhpur is under control and ensured that steps are being taken to maintain law and order.

"Situation in Jodhpur is under control. Police are taking all possible steps to maintain peace, law and order. A total of 211 persons have been arrested so far, and out of these 191. arrested were under section 151 and 20 persons in other cases," the Rajasthan DGP said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Jodhpur, Chakravarti Singh Rathore said that the investigation is being done from every angle, "We will produce the arrested accused before the court to demand their police custody," he added.

• The curfew imposed in Jodhpur Commissionerate area on May 3 has been extended till May 6.

On Tuesday, authorities suspended mobile internet services and impose a curfew in 10 police station areas of the city.

The tension had erupted on the intervening night of May 2 and May 3 (hours before Eid) when a Muslim mob not only replaced a Bhagwa flag with an Islamic flag at the Jalori gate circle in the heart of Jodhpur but also taped the face of a statue of Freedom Fighter Balmukund Bissa.

The mob then started pelting stones at the police and local people, threw acid-filled bottles at houses and shops. Ran across the city with naked swords and also damaged vehicles.

Following the incident, Jodhpur Police issued orders imposing a curfew besides suspending mobile internet services to check the spread of rumours.

In the early hours of Tuesday, the situation was brought under control with heavy deployment of police but tension escalated again in the morning after prayers at an Eidgah.