3 killed and 100 injured in Maharashtra’s Dhule town

Three people were reported dead and more than 100 people injured in communal clashes that took place in Dhule district in North Maharashtra, over 400 kilometres from Mumbai.

According to the police, trouble broke out on Sunday morning between groups belonging to the Hindu and Muslim communities over the removal of hoardings displayed on the occasion of Navratri and Eid. As the day progressed, clashes were reported in Azad Nagar, Bara Phatta, Old Agra road and Phoolwala Chowk — all considered as communally sensitive areas.

The rioters resorted to stone-pelting and torching of commercial establishments in the city. The cops first fired teargas shells in the Paanch Kandil Chowk and Phoolwala areas to disperse the mob. But as the situation spun out of control, they fired a few rounds in the air.

“We had to use force in order to quell the mob as they were resorting to arson and violence,” said a police officer. “But the situation is now under control and curfew has been imposed,” he added.