Twenty-one people were arrested in connection with a clash between people of two communities during Holi celebrations in Sainthia of Birbhum district, the police said on Saturday.

A few people from both sides suffered minor injuries during the Friday evening clashes, and were administered medical aid, police said. According to the police, armed forces were deployed in the area to restore order and the situation is now under control.

The state government suspended internet services in Sainthia town and five other adjoining panchayat areas in the Sainthia police station area till March 17, according to an order.

According to police, an altercation began when a group of youths, who were playing music, were asked to stop by members of another community. The situation escalated into stone-pelting between the two communities and some people were injured.

However, after receiving information about the incident, police immediately rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, an official said.

“Any data related message or class of messages, to or from any person or class of persons, to or from any telecommunication equipment or class of telecommunication equipment, or relating to any particular subject, brought for transmission by, or transmitted or received by any telecommunication service or telecommunication network under the ambit of Telecommunications Act, 2023, shall temporarily not be transmitted in the interest of maintaining public order and preventing incitement to the commission of any offence within… Sainthia town area, Hatora GP, Mathpalsa GP, Harisara GP, Dariyapur GP, and Fulur GP area under Sainthia Police Station of Sainthia Community Development Block in Birbhum Revenue District, under Birbhum Police District,” the order stated.

It further stated, “This order shall come into force with immediate effect from March 14, 2025 (Friday) and shall remain valid till 0800 hours of March 17, 2025.”