Residents of two localities in Petlad town today scuffled with a police team which had gone there to identify some of the persons allegedly involved in a communal clash on last Sunday.
Locals from Anjanwada and Sayyadwada prevented the police personnel, who took along with them 15 arrested persons, from entering the areas to carry out combing operation, police said.
According to district Superintendent of Police Saurabh Singh, the locals also resisted police's bid to carry out searches as part of the investigation.
"The scuffle ensued after the police party reached the localities along with the arrested persons to identify other accused," he said, adding that nobody was injured in the incident.
Police have so far arrested 15 people, while 35 others who are named in the FIR are absconding, the officer said.
"Tension remains in the area after the Sunday clash. Many locals have fled after their names appeared in the FIR, fearing police action. We are taking preventive measures like getting markets shut early. People are preventing police from carrying out investigation," Singh said.
He said around 50 police personnel were deployed in the affected areas and around two dozen more police personnel are patrolling the town to ensure law and order.
On Sunday, six persons, including three cops, were injured in the clash between two communities. Police had fired 24 teargas shells to control the mob.
