Situation tense in Bhiwandi after communal clash during Muharram

Thane: Situation in powerloom town of Bhiwandi in Thane district was tense but peaceful as security was beefed up hours after members of two communities clashed during a Muharram procession, police said.

A meeting was convened late last night by senior police officials with the local peace committee soon after the situation was brought under control. It was also attended by local MP Kapil Patil, who urged the people to maintain calm, an official at Thane City Police Control Room said.

The incident occurred when some of arches put up for just-concluded Navratri festival got damaged during the Muharram procession in the evening. This led to tensions between the members from both community. They later hurled stones at each other.

Later, a sub-inspector, a police naik and one more person received injuries when a two-wheeler of a police official was set on fire.

Those injured were sub-inspector Sanjay Rathod, police naik santosh Mali and a photographer, the officer said, adding that all of them are undergoing treatment at National Burns Hospital in Airoli, Navi Mumbai.