Four persons were injured after members of two communities clashed at Dhori village in Dhrangadhra taluka of Surendranagar district, following which four policemen were suspended for "dereliction of duty", police said today.
The confrontation between the members of Patidar and Koli communities occurred last night and the police had to lob three teargas shells to control the crowd.
"Members of Patidar and Koli communities clashed last night after tempers ran high over a land issue," Surendranagar District Superintendent of Police Deepak Meghani said.
"Yesterday morning, a Patel youth was beaten up by the members of the Koli community over the issue, after which tension between the two communities escalated. Around 9 pm, both the sides indulged in stone-pelting with some members even firing two rounds in the air," he added.
The incident left at least four persons injured, Meghani said, adding that the police lobbed three teargas shells to bring the situation under control.
Four policemen were found guilty of dereliction of duty and were suspended in this connection, he said.
The suspended policemen were sub-inspector DV Basiya, assistant sub-inspector DM Jadhav, constables Rasikbhai Panara and Rohit Thakor.
"The in-charge of the outpost should have visited the spot in the morning after the Patel youth was beaten up and should have informed the senior officials about it so that proper police deployment could be made to prevent the clash. They were suspended for negligence and dereliction of duty," Meghani said.
Cross FIRs have been filed against 36 persons in this regard for attempt to murder, rioting, unlawful assembly, causing hurt using dangerous weapons and under relevant sections of the Arms Act, police said.
Further investigation into the case was on although, no arrest had been made yet, they added.
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