A mob gheraoed a police station and damaged shops and vehicles after a rumour spread that a place of worship of the minority community was damaged at Chanchal in Malda district, 65 km from here.
The trouble started yesterday when it was announced over loudspeakers at Chanchal and adjoining Kaligram villages that a place of worship was damaged at Chanchal, DIG, Malda Range, J K Pal who is camping in the area said today.
Pal described the announcement as a "rumour" which led to agitated people assembling at Chanchal, whol later, damaged shops and vehicles.
He said 16 people have been arrested in this connection.
People again assembled today at Chanchal in front of the police station and gheraoed it. They started pelting stones forcing police to resort to baton charge to disperse the mob, the DIG said.
Police patrolling was continuing and the situation was now stated to be under control, he added.
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