Seven people were injured after a minor dispute led to a communal flare-up involving arson and stone-pelting in Prabhash Patan area of Gir-Somnath district today, police said.
Police fired tear-gas shells and arrested 61 people.
"There was a dispute between a rickshaw-driver and his lady passenger. It took an ugly turn when people from two communities gathered and started throwing stones," said sub-inspector Samat Babaria.
"The mob started setting shops and vehicles on fire. So police lobbed tear gas shells," Babaria added.
Seven persons including three policemen sustained minor injuries in the stone-pelting, Babaria said.
Police booked 61 persons under IPC sections 395 (dacoity), 427 (mischief, causing loss or damage to property), 435 (mischief by fire), 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), etc., he said.
Gir-Somanth district collector and superintendent of police (SP) also rushed to the spot.
"The clash took place on a trivial issue...Now the situation is under control," SP Vishal Waghela said.
Collector C P Patel made an appeal to the people to maintain peace.
