Tension at Pipili after group clash

BHUBANESWAR: Pipili plunged into chaos forcing shutdown of busy Puri-Bhubaneswar National Highway for hours as two groups clashed over a love affair between a boy and a girl from different communities.Bombs were hurled, gun shots fired and heavy brickbatting continued that left four persons injured. Armed police rushed to the spot to disperse the clashing groups. Although normalcy returned by evening after almost six hours, palpable tension still prevailed. No arrest has been made as yet. Trouble started when the brother of the girl allegedly beat up the boy. The other community members ganged up and retaliated. Soon more people from both sides joined on and Pipili Bazaar turned into a battlefield of sorts.Crude bombs were thrown at each other while locals reported that some of the rioters even resorted to blank firing. Heavy stone pelting was followed by use of missiles such as eggs. Some of them even looted the local shops. As things threatened to get out of control, traffic movement along NH came to a complete halt. DGP Manmohan Praharaj said the clash broke out over a petty issue but was now under control. “Strict action will be taken against all those resorting to such kind of violence,” he said. ADGP (Law and Order) Sanjib Marik and DIG DS Kutte were camping at the spot. While police dispersed the rioters to bring the situation under control, the DIG said, a peace committee was being convened between the two communities to resolve the issue. Mobile patrols have been deployed to keep a watch on the disturbing elements. After the incident, police vigil was tightened in the Capital. Forces were deployed at Ganesh pandals and cops have kept tabs on sensitive pockets of the City.