Tension prevails in the communally sensitive Meerut, following a Sunday evening clash between rival groups belonging to two different communities that left 30 persons, including half a dozen cops injured.

The trouble started following assault on the Imam of a mosque in Qazipur area on the city outskirts. No sooner than the attackers left the mosque, supporters of the Imam started converging at the mosque in large numbers and eventually blocked the main road, stoning vehicles and even indulging in arson.

Eyewitnesses alleged that by the time cops moved in, it was rather late, as violence had already spread to other localities, where battle lines were drawn and a sharp communal divide became clearly visible.

Sources said that both sides indulged in vandalism, and targeted the police shortly thereafter. "Some miscreants also set ablaze a police outpost in Zakir Colony, following which policemen were left with no option but to use mild force and tear gas in order to disperse the violent mob," Meerut Superintendent of police Prabal Pratap Singh said . 

While claiming that the situation was well under control, he added, "We have registered a case against four persons named by the Imam for assaulting him in the mosque. We have also taken nearly two dozen persons in custody in connection with the violence"

Special director general of police (law and order) Brij Lal told mediapersons in Lucknow that  police deployments had been stepped up all over Meerut in view of the communal sensitivity of the city. "Senior officials have been detailed to keep a round-the-clock vigil in all communally sensitive localities to prevent any renewed attempts of violence," he said.