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56 hurt as fresh violence erupts in Ajmer

The Rajasthan police on Friday opened fire in air to disperse a mob in Ajmer even as indefinite curfew continued for the fourth consecutive day in some parts of the pilgrim town, following communal violence on February 17.

The fresh violence left at least 56 people, including the city police superintendent, additional police superintendent and 25 policemen, injured. As many as 57 people have been arrested. Two additional companies of the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary were sought from Jaipur to contain the trouble.

A mob, annoyed with the administration's refusal to let them perform the jumma (Friday prayers) near Sufi saint Khwaja Moinnuddin Hasan Chisti's durgah, resorted to heavy stone pelting on the police. The police tried to disperse it with batons, tear gas and rubber bullets. When this did not work they fired two rounds in air, state Home Minister Kailash Meghwal said.

The police conducted search operations in the curfew bound areas of the town and seized a number of acid bombs, sharp-edged weapons and a big stock of kerosene.

Meanwhile, khadims (priests) of the durgah continued their dharna at the main entrance to press their demand for a judicial inquiry into the alleged police firing on the premises. Some priests also raised black flags in protest. The police had been denying this allegation.

UNI

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