The riot in the Rajput-dominated Dashrath village, according to the police, had its genesis in the panchayat elections of December 1997. Deputy sarpanch Jitsinh Chauhan reportedly nursed a grudge against Parshottambhai Solanki, whose wife defeated his supporter Bhagubhai in the elections. There had been several verbal duels between the two groups in the past eight months, officials said.

Arguments and abuses between members of the two groups triggered an attack on a phone booth last night, escalating into stone-pelting.

After a mobile van desptached by the City Control room failed to bring the situation under control, reinforcements were sent, with the police firing three rounds in the air and lobbying teargas shells.