Tiff between gamblers takes ugly turn

RAJKOT: A major clash was averted in the wee hours of Friday when two groups belonging to separate communities locked horns over a petty issue. One person was injured in the incident. The situation in Morvi road area is under control, police said. On Thursday night, a few people who had gathered near Lakhmanbhai's farm were gambling in which a man lost a big sum, said an eyewitness.He refused to part with the money but it was forcefully taken by other gamblers, which charged up the situation. One group beat up the person who lost the money. When the man's community members came to know about this, they came armed with iron pipes, swords and knives and created a riot-like situation in the area.
Police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. To avert any untoward incident, policemen have been deployed in the area. According to police records, Nilesh A Makwana,33, living near Delux cinema, registered a complaint against Ibhlo Khatki and five of his associates. Nilesh had gone to Rohidaspara around 10 pm, when he was allegedly attacked by Ibhlo Khatki and his associates with swords, pipes and knives. He was injured and taken to hospital.
When members of his community came to know about the incident, they came out on the streets in large numbers, giving an ugly turn to a tiff between gamblers. A bike was torched by the mob and stone-pelting was reported.
Police were informed and they rushed to the spot in 12 vans, following which the situation was brought under control. Police are investigating the case. Accused are on run, police said. A local, who does not want to be named, said, "We have to suffer due to gamblers who create ruckus in the area. Though police are aware about this, anti-social elements succeed in giving these small fights a communal twist and thus create tension in the area."
Police must take strict action against these gamblers."