One man has died and police have detained 174 people in Gujarat state's Junagadh city after violent protests erupted, with demonstrators hurling stones and setting fire to a vehicle. The protests were triggered by authorities' plan to demolish a shrine to clear "encroachment".
The protest occurred in front of the Majewadi Gate of the city on late Friday night when Junagadh Municipal Corporation officials delivered a notice demanding proof of land ownership.
According to media reports, several hundred people gathered around the religious structure in order to protest the threat of demolition.
While protestors threw stones at police vehicles, police responded with tear gas shells and baton-charged the protesters to disperse the event.
The protesters had previously vandalised a police post, setting ablaze several police vehicles and pelting officials with stones.
During the clashes, one person was killed while four policemen - including the deputy superintendent - were injured.
The cause of death of the civilian remains unknow but police suspect that he died after a stone hit him.
While talking to the media about the incident, Superintendent of Police Ravi Teja Vasamsetty said: "On 14 June, the Junagadh Municipal Corporation issued a notice to a mosque near Majevadi Darwaja to produce documents regarding the ownership of land. Agitated over the notice, around 500-600 people gathered near the religious structure and blocked roads on Friday night."
He further added that the deputy superintendent and other personnel tried to ease the tensions for about an hour. However, police resorted to a baton charge and also fired tear gas shells as the mob started casting stones at them.
After the incident, a number of police personnel have been deployed in the area to prevent any untoward incident and steps are being taken to catch all those involved in the violence.