HYDERABAD: The division in the elected body of Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) erupted here on Saturday and the police was called to prevent any violence in the HCCI's office.

Former HCCI President Seth Goharullah informed the media that Muhammad Ikram Rajput, who was elected HCCI's President unopposed last month, had tendered resignation.

He added that Rajput did not attend the HCCI's meeting on Saturday during which his resignation was tabled and accepted by 16 out of 24 executive members present.

The meeting also elected Mohammed Shahid Soomro as the new President of HCCI, Goharullah told adding that some members of the HCCI violently reacted to election of Soomro.

He stated that the development provoked a clash between two groups of the business community as some member assaulted each other before the police arrived to control the situation.

Separately, HCCI's Vice President Iqbal Baig at a press conference claimed that a fake resignation of Rajput- who was in Karachi- was tabled in the HCCI meeting.

He claimed that SSP Hyderabad Adeel Hussain Chandio was informed about the situation who had sealed the HCCI's office and referred the matter to Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Aslam.

Baig said they would not accept any unlawful way of removing an elected president.