Police on Saturday used tear gas shells to control the clash which broke out when a group of people allegedly threw stones on a Ram Navami procession in Jodhpur's Soorsagar area.

Some vehicles were set on fire and a mob stoned houses and clashed with police injuring two cops in Vyapariyon ka Mohalla in Soorsagar police station.

The area around Soorsagar had witnessed some clashes three days ago when clashing youths damaged a motorcycle. Some claimed that the clashes over the procession were an extension of the earlier clash which police did not handle properly.

On Saturday, some people attacked the house of a Hindu family. The members of the family alleged that the police failed to turn up in time despite their repeated calls to the control room.

Police said the clashes that broke out during a Ram Navami procession delayed their arrival at the house. The mob also stoned a police vehicle and even set vehicles on fire. Police have detained several people in the matter.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has called for maintaining peace and communal harmony.

Union Minister for the state Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who is contesting general elections from Jodhpur, began a dharna late night demanding the release of the detainees.

He said the police failed to take adequate steps leading to the attack on the houses of the Hindus. He accused police of dragging out the Hindu victims and detaining them at the police station.

Senior police officers have been handling the tense situation.