Batala (Punjab): Members of Christian and
Hindu communities clashed and indulged in vandalising public
property here today over publication of a picture of Jesus
Christ in an allegedly objectionable manner, prompting
authorities to clamp an indefinite curfew.
Police said members of the Christian community took out a
protest march through the town during which some of them
turned violent and set afire six two-wheelers, damaged three
buses, a shopping mall and around 50 shops in different areas.
They were protesting against the publication of a picture
of Jesus Christ in a book by a Delhi-based publisher recently
which was reproduced in some newspapers in the state.
Protestors belonging to Hindu community also took to the
streets and tried to set on fire a church, police said adding,
the damage to the place of worship was minimal as the fire
brigade and the police reached the spot in time.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rahul Chabha said curfew has
been clamped to maintain law and order. Police patrolling has
been intensified and additional personnel deployed.
The building of the Government Primary School in Krishna
Nagar area was also damaged, police said.
Clashes took place in nearby Majitha town yesterday over
the issue with reports of protestors damaging shops and
torching vehicles.
PTI
