Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh), Nov 20 (IANS): In a bizarre incident, two warring groups clashed with each other on the cremation ground and fought a pitched battle using the wood logs kept on the pyre.

The clashes took place in the presence of police, and scores of people were injured.

The incident took place in the Sihawali village on Thursday when the cremation of Jaspal, 25, who had ended his life by suicide, was being held.

Trouble began when Jaspal's family members refused to allow his estranged wife and in-laws to join his last rites.

The situation further aggravated when the in-laws and their relatives were stopped from entering the cremation ground.

The police, present on the spot, tried to talk to both the parties and resolve the matter but some family members of Jaspal lit the pyre which angered the other party that tried to douse the flames.

Within minutes, both the groups were involved in a violent clash at the cremation ground.

Additional forces led by Hayatnagar SHO, Vidyut Goyal, reached the spot immediately and sent back more than 200 people who had gathered at the cremation ground.

The cremation was later performed amid tight security.

Circle officer Arun Kumar Singh said, "Police have not received a complaint from any party, so far, but taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, sub-inspector Dharmendra Gautam has registered an FIR under sections 147 (rioting) and 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). We are identifying the accused from video clips. They will be arrested soon."

Meanwhile, sources said that Jaspal had married Jyoti during the Covid-19 lockdown, but their relationship was not cordial.

Jaspal had gone to meet his in-laws along with wife on Monday when he had a tiff with his in-laws and his brother-in-law thrashed him.

Jaspal returned home and hanged himself to death on Wednesday night.