Several injured, vehicles torched in communal clash during Navratri garba in Dahegam village

Navratri celebrations in Bahiyal village near Dahegam descended into violence late on Wednesday night after a social media post allegedly triggered a communal flare-up, leaving several people injured and property damaged.

According to the police, the trouble began around 10 pm when members of the two communities clashed during a garba event. Stones were hurled at the gathering and, as the situation escalated, miscreants vandalised vehicles and set shops ablaze. A police van and at least 15 other vehicles were damaged, while seven shops and even an Aadhaar centre were set on fire.

Five civilians were injured in the stone-pelting, along with three police personnel, including a police sub-inspector.

Preliminary inquiries indicate that the confrontation was sparked by heated exchanges on social media after a youth allegedly shared a post urging people to replace a religious hashtag with one referring to a Hindu deity. Police said the remark provoked anger among some local residents who allegedly attacked the youth’s shop and set it on fire, before targeting the garba venue.

Police fired tear-gas shells and, after hours of effort, brought the situation under control. More than 100 personnel were deployed overnight in and around the village, with additional teams posted at the garba ground and other sensitive spots.

By Thursday morning, officials said, the situation was “under control”, with 50 people rounded up for questioning. Identification of the rioters is continuing with the help of CCTV footage, while senior Gandhinagar Police officers and the Forensic Science Laboratory have joined the investigation.