Hyderabad, Oct 10 (IANS) Four people were killed and 15 others were injured in communal riots and police firing Friday in an Andhra Pradesh town, officials said.
The violence broke out during the immersion procession of Durga idols in Bhainsa town in Adilabad district, about 280 km from here.
The trouble began after Friday prayers. While one group claimed that the participants in the procession pelted stones at a place of worship, the other group alleged that some people pelted stones at the procession from the place of worship.
The two groups attacked each other with stones and also looted and set afire 40 shops and 12 vehicles. Some miscreants barged into a ginning factory and torched three cotton-laden trucks, the police said.
The police caned clashing groups and when this failed to have any effect, opened fire in the air. Police officials said they opened fire on the violent mobs after firing 35 rounds in the air.
District superintendent of police P. Anil Kumar rushed to the town with additional forces.
Prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons have been imposed in the entire town and additional police forces were being rushed from other parts of the district.
A police official said the situation in the town remained tense but under control. He said the police have intensified patrolling in sensitive areas.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a shutdown in Adilabad district Saturday to protest the attack on the Durga procession.
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