Police open tear gas to control protest in Indore over Amarnath land transfer issue

Indore, July 4 (ANI): Police resorted to tear gas shells after fresh violence broke out in Indore on Friday over revocation of land transfer to Amarnath Shrine Board.

Curfew imposed in some parts of the city on Thursday was extended to 24 police station areas of the city on Friday.

The strike, called by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), turned violent in Indore on Thursday.

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Four people, including two Muslim residents were killed when Hindu groups clashed with them, forcing police to open fire and lob tear gas shells.

According to an eyewitness at least five people got injured after receiving bullets shots.

"Police pelted stones and opened fire as well. Four-five people have got shot and I took them to hospital. I called the police force. Force tried to control the situation but still the stone pelting continued," said Qurashan Pathan, an eyewitness.

Hindu protesters are demanding that land be allotted to Hindus for building temporary shelters for pilgrims who visit Amarnath shrine in Kashmir every year, to pray by the holy ice stalagmite.

The government was forced to back down and withdraw the order, after Muslim protesters shut down Kashmir last week over the transfer of land, a move that has angered thousands of Hindus in India. (ANI)