Maharashtra: Dhule under curfew after clashes, toll 4

The death toll in Dhule police firing has mounted to four even as the situation in the northern Maharashtra town, which witnessed violent clashes between two communities, is under control, said the police.

According to the police, four people, including a teenager, were killed while 200 others were injured. Seven of the injured are in a critical condition.

"Four people, including an 18-year-old boy, have died. The situation (in Dhule) is under control since," said Deven Bharti, special inspector general in the office of the director general of police.

Meanwhile, the curfew clamped by the police at Machi Bazaar area in the city on Sunday evening, which was the epicentre of violence, still continues. The police said that they will take a call on lifting it after assessing the situation later in the day.

The Dhule police have registered cases under IPC sections against unknown people for destruction of property and obstructing a public servant in discharging his duty in connection with the clashes.

Clashes broke out between members of two communities on Sunday, reportedly over a trivial matter, and soon spread to Machibazar and Madhavpura areas of the city, leaving around 50 policemen injured.

Police opened fire after violence erupted between two groups in Madhavpura area of the town, in which four people were killed.

The cause of the clash was reportedly a tiff over non-payment of a hotel bill by a group of four people, according to the police.

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, said the police.