Maharashtra: 4 dead, over 100 injured in clashes between two communities

mangaloretoday.com/ DHNS

Dhule, Jan 7: Four people were dead and 106 policemen were injured after clashes broke out between members of two communities at Dhule in Maharashtra on Sunday. Nearly 130 civilians have also been injured in the clashes. The violence started at a hotel and spread to other areas.

 

Police used water cannons to disperse the mob. The situation was tense but under control. One man is said to have been seriously injured after being hit by a bullet.

The cause of the clash was reportedly a tiff over non-payment of a hotel bill by a group of four people, a senior state official told PTI. After they were beaten up by the hotel staff for failing to pay the bill, they went away and returned with a large group after which the violence escalated, the official said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithiviraj Chavan has appealed for calm. "The Rapid Action Force has been deployed and the situation is under control at the moment. I appeal to every one to maintain peace and calm," Chavan said.