Tensions boiled over in Kalana village, located in the Sanand taluka of Ahmedabad district, on Monday, resulting in violent clashes between two groups from different communities. The incident, rooted in an old rivalry, left at least nine people injured and prompted police to detain 42 individuals for questioning.
Sequence of Events: From Verbal Spat to Stone-Pelting
The chain of events began with a heated verbal exchange between two youths near the village pond on Monday. This seemingly minor altercation acted as a trigger, escalating dramatically later in the night into large-scale stone-pelting between the rival factions. While authorities managed to bring the situation under control temporarily, the calm was short-lived.
Tensions flared again on Tuesday morning when members of both groups confronted each other near the village gate and the local primary school. This encounter sparked a fresh round of violence, with participants hurling stones, bricks, and sticks at each other. The clashes caused significant damage to several vehicles parked on the roadside, including two cars and a motorcycle, leaving the streets littered with broken glass and debris.
Injuries and Counter-Complaints Filed
The violence resulted in injuries on both sides. Police confirmed that a total of nine people were hurt—four from one group and five from the other. Two First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered at the Sanand GIDC police station late on Monday night.
In the first complaint, a 17-year-old boy alleged that his family was attacked by the rival group following a dispute. His father suffered a head injury requiring two stitches, while three other relatives sustained injuries to their head and leg. All were admitted to a private hospital in Sanand.
A counter-complaint was filed by a 55-year-old woman from the opposite group. She claimed her family was attacked near the village gate, leaving her with a head wound that needed four stitches. Another woman from her side suffered facial injuries. Three men from their group also received minor injuries and were discharged after treatment.
Heavy Police Deployment and Investigation
Given the seriousness of the situation, senior police officials, including the Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP), rushed to the spot. A large police contingent was deployed in the village to prevent any further escalation of violence.
"Additional force was stationed in the village and patrolling was intensified," a senior police officer stated. To identify the main perpetrators, authorities are scrutinizing CCTV footage and mobile phone videos from the scene.
While the situation is currently reported to be under control, police presence will remain heightened in Kalana village for the next few days to maintain peace and prevent any potential flare-up of the longstanding rivalry.
