All for a Lemon! Lemon Dispute Ignites Communal Clash in Udaipur, Six Detained

A trivial argument over lemon prices at a vegetable stall in Udaipur’s Dhanmandi area escalated into a communal clash late Thursday, leaving vendor Satveer, 50, critically injured with facial wounds from a sharp weapon, police said.

Six suspects have been detained, and tensions persist despite heavy police deployment.

The incident, near Teej Ka Chowk, began when a verbal spat between two men turned violent, drawing a group of five to seven attackers who assaulted Satveer, per Superintendent of Police Yogesh Goyal.

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The clash, fueled by communal undertones, saw two huts and vegetable carts set ablaze, with firefighters dousing the flames. Police from four stations, led by Goyal, restored order, detaining six based on CCTV footage showing armed assailants. “We are investigating all aspects… strict action will be taken,” Goyal assured.

Friday saw a market bandh in Dhanmandi, Nehru Bazaar, and Bapu Bazaar as traders protested, demanding arrests and action against negligent officers.

A meeting with Municipal Commissioner Ramprakash and ADM Vaar Singh yielded promises to address three demands: arresting culprits, clearing illegal vendors, and disciplining errant police. Shops reopened post-assurances, but extra forces remain in sensitive areas to prevent further unrest.

Satveer, a Surajpole resident, is under treatment at MB Hospital. The incident, echoing Udaipur’s history of communal flare-ups like the 2022 Kanhaiya Lal murder, has sparked outrage, with public alleging targeted violence, though police urge restraint. Critics question lax policing, citing prior failures to curb local tensions, as investigations continue to identify the attackers’ motives.

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