New Delhi, July 2: Communal tensions have erupted in the national capital territory following a spat between two communities in Old Delhi's Chawri Bazar locality. The fight erupted over scooter parking and snowballed into a major controversy, in which both sides have accused each other of stone pelting and vandalism.

The incident was reported last night in Lal Kuan area of Chawri Bazaar, where one 20-year-old Aas Muhammad parked his scooter outside the residence of Sanjeev Kumar Gupta (45). Muslim Prisoner Branded With ‘Om’ Tattoo on Back in Delhi’s Tihar Jail

Two versions of the incidents have come to the fore, with Muhammad's family alleging that he was attacked by Guptas and his kin for parking the vehicle outside their house. "They roughed him up, fractured his hand, despite him pleading that he would remove the scooter within 10 minutes," claimed a neighbour.

The Guptas have, however, denied the charge. Sanjeev's wife Babita alleged that Muhammad began abusing her husband when he stopped him from parking the scooter.

She further told reporters that Muhammad left from the spot following a verbal spat, and threatened to return in few minutes "with his men".

Within half-an-hour, he allegedly returned with around 20-25 men who assaulted Gupta and their family members, Babita claimed.

However, within Muslim circles of Chawri Bazar, a rumour circulated saying that Muhammad has been killed by the Guptas. Subsequently, a mob vandalised a local temple.

Police officials privy to the case said the mob appears to be one of outsiders, adding that locals were unlikely involved in the attack.

DCP (central) Mandeep Singh Randhawa said the CCTV footages are being analysed to identify the miscreants who vandalised the temple.

Nearly 1,000 personnel of Delhi Police have been stationed in the wall city to prevent escalation of the communal strife.

Irshad Ali, member of the Residents' Welfare Association, has called for talks between the two sides. He has appealed seniors among the two communities to amicably resolve the difference, while appealing the police to crackdown on the miscreants who vandalised the local temple.

DCP Randhawa has also asked the locals to help in restoring normalcy. "We have taken legal action and all efforts are being made to pacify feelings and bring about amity," he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 02, 2019 09:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).