CROATIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY COMMENTS ON NCIDENT IN BARANJSKO NOVO

( Editorial: --> 4140 ) ZAGREB, Feb 24 (Hina) - Croatian Interior Ministry Public Relations office issued late Monday night a statement regarding an incident that took place in Baranjsko Novo Selo (Croatian Danube River region) on Sunday. During a carnival procession in the town, a group of persons who were masked as soldiers of the former Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) had displayed fascist greetings only during the time of the procession. Cases of torching symbols of the Serb national minority, as had been mentioned by a UN Civilian Police spokesman, had not been noted, the statement said. Traffic was blocked at one point because of the people in the carnival procession who had been walking down the main town street and did their performances. After the end of the procession, a group of carnival participants had gathered in a local pub, where, according to police in a car patrol, they had disturbed public peace and order. The police attempted to convey the fact to the group, but were verbally and physically abused and forced into a vehicle. As a result, a police officer received light injuries. After police backup consisting of several patrol cars arrived at the scene, the carnival group calmed down and dispersed in the evening. The investigation, which is still ongoing, identified three persons who will be charged for assaulting an officer. The public would be informed on time about the progress of the investigation, the Ministry said. 8hina) lm 241108 MET feb 98