Mick Hartley

It's reassuring that, in these troubled times, some things never change:

Communal riots broke out in Dhule in Vidarbha region Thursday morning. News of a blasphemous cartoon depicting Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) being drawn and put up in the city triggered violence in Muslim-dominated areas in the city.

Twenty-two people, including three policemen were injured following police action and firing. To contain unrest, curfew was imposed on the riot-hit areas of the city.

According to police sources, a caricature defaming the Prophet was posted on the notice board of the district collector’s office Thursday morning that infuriated Muslims.

Protesters pelted two buses with stones at Tiranga Chowk in the area. The mob reportedly assaulted the bus passengers and tried to rob them. As the protesters were about to set the buses ablaze, police reached the troubled spot and fired shots to disperse them….

Meanwhile, agitated Muslims met the District Collector Gokul Maware and the controversial cartoon was removed. Maware assured the Muslims that strong action would be taken against those involved.