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Vadodara/Indian Express: Communal tension gripped Kalol town, situated around twenty kilometres from Godhra, after two Muslim youths were allegedly beaten up by a group of five Hindu youth who objected to their participation in a Hindu marriage late Sunday night.

The victims, Rafiq Jarodia and Shahid Morza, along with complainant Wasim Sheikh had gone to attend the ceremony of a friend, Bhavdipsinh Sisodia on invitation.

One of the invitees, Sunny Joshi saw them and objected to their participation in a “Hindu marriage” and asked them to leave. According to the FIR, n ot long after the marriage procession arrived at the Kalol college compound, the Muslim boys left the venue and were walking towards parking lot.

As they were preparing to leave, they were chased and rounded up by five persons named in the FIR – Sunny Joshi, Sandip Tadvi, Dipesh, Parth Kanojia and Akshay Soni. Rafiq and Shahid were allegedly beaten up with iron rod and bricks by fhe accused around mid night onSunday, who allegedly said they disliked Muslims participating in Hindu marriage, FIR filed at Kalol police station stated.

One of the two had to be admitted to a private hospital. The injured was later referred to the civil hospital in Vadodara.

Upon hearing of the incident, hundreds of Muslims from around Kalol gathered near the bus stand to mark their protest, upon which police teams from Godhra had to be rushed to take situation under control. “The matter was soon brought under control and Muslims were dispersed. The situation is under control,” police said.

Two persons have been arrested in this connection and police are looking for other accused in the FIR. They have been booked under sections 143, 147, 149, 307, 504, and 507 (2) of IPC and section 135 of GP Act, police said. EoM.