Vadodara, January 15: Violence erupted in some parts of the Walled City area of Vadodara late on Wednesday evening, leaving six persons injured, one of them in police firing. Police fired at least half a dozen rounds to disperse the mobs which clashed after a kite with provocative slogans strayed into the majority dominated Ranawas area of Fatehpura. Residents alleged that the kite had slogans against a particular community, fuelling tension in the area. Within minutes, groups from both the communities gathered in the area and started pelting stones at each other. Acid bulbs and sharp-edged weapons were also used during the pitched battle which continued for more than half an hour.

Additional personnel of the SRP, who rushed to the spot to disperse the mob, initially lobbed teargas shells but that failed to have the desired results. Then, the SRP men fired at least half a dozen rounds. One youth, identified as Dharmesh Rana, was injured in the firing though he claimed that he was hit by fire from a private weapon. ‘‘An unidentified youth fired at me when I was running for safety,’’ Rana, who is admitted to the SSG Hospital, told Express Newsline.

Five more persons were injured in the stone-pelting which continued despite heavy police presence. Police officials said that they were investigating the kite incident which the residents alleged triggered the violence. Fresh incidents of stone pelting were also reported from the Wadi area where mobs came out after the news of the Fatehpura incident spread. Incidents of stone-pelting between two groups were also reported in Panjigar and Goldwada areas. Combing operations in the affected areas has been initiated, said police. Senior police officials said the situation was tense but under control.

Earlier, two autorickshaws were torched and another autorickshaw was damaged in Patelwada vistaar in Godhra on Wednesday after a heated argument between two groups. Police said incidents of throwing of acid bulbs was also reported but no burn injuries were reported to have taken place.