RIVAL mobs of Hindus and Muslims defied a curfew today, burning shops and vehicles in a second day of sectarian violence that has killed two people and wounded 13 in Veraval, Gujarat.
Despite the deployment of thousands of police and orders for the town`s residents to remain indoors, mobs burned at least 18 shops and 13 vehicles this morning in the coastal town, said deputy inspector general of police TS Bist.
He said 46 people were arrested for defying the curfew in the city`s Hindu-dominated Patelwada area.
Police said the violence began yesterday when young Muslim males heckled a passing Hindu girl, sparking a riot in which scores of Hindus, armed with sticks and swords, clashed with Muslims.
Police fired at the mob, killing one Muslim and wounding 13 people. A Hindu was stabbed to death.
Two small mosques, and about 25 shops belonging to both Hindus and Muslims, were also burned yesterday.
Salim Khan, a local Muslim who is president of the Veraval Fisheries Association, claimed that the police were not doing enough to protect the minority community - a charge made during the spring riots of 2002.
Bist said there had been no formal complaint.
He said he would “probe the matter if a specific complaint is made.”
