Man injured in attack by group, nine held

A 57-year-old man was injured after being attacked with iron rods by a group of people from a minority community in suburban Malad, police said today.
The injured has been identified as Rashid Marediya, who is the trustee of the religious place. Nine people have been arrested in this connection, police said.
The group of attackers had raised objections over the way the religious place was being managed.
"Unhappy with the manner in which the religious place was being managed, a group of people gathered at the religious site last night and started abusing and threatening Marediya," a senior police officer said.

"Thereafter, they even kicked and punched him before hitting him with iron rods. This led to a ruckus between two groups of the same community," the official said.
Marediya, who sustained injuries in the incident, was rushed to a nearby hospital.

"Based on cross complaints filed by both the groups, a case of rioting was registered against nine persons at Kurar police station," he said.
"Nine people belonging to both the groups have been booked for rioting. They were caught today from the vicinity and have been placed under arrest," he said.
Further probe into the matter was underway, the officer added.