Maharashtra: Two killed, 41 injured and scores of shops destroyed in Aurangabad communal clashes
Aurangabad, May 12 (IBNS): Two persons were killed, at least 41, including policemen injured and more than 100 shops and vehilces were either torched or vandalised during clashes between two communities since late Friday night, forcing authorities to clamp prohibitory orders, media reports said.
A section of the media has, however, put the death toll at one.
At least ten policemen, including three junior officers, were injured in the incident.
After the clash was reported, Mumbai police rushed to the spot and resorted to teargas shelling to disperse the warring crowds.
While the police have imposed curfew in certain parts of the city, Section 144 of the CrPC was also invoked in several parts of Aurangabad prohibiting assembly of more than four persons.
According to reports, the trouble broke out first in the Gandhinagar area of the city after an illegal water connection to a religious place was disconnected.
However, The Times of India reported that the violence was triggered after a few people beat a garage mechanic in the area for refusing to give them money for liquor.
This incident fuelled tensions in neighbourhoods such as Motikaranja, Raja Bazar, Shahgunj, Chelipura and Anguribagh, where groups of people pelted stones at each other.
Videos on social media showed the police reportedly firing live ammunition rounds and teargas shells.
Though senior police authorities refused to speak on the matter, a 17-year old resident of Rengtipura locality succumbed to bullet injuries at MGM hospital, The Times of India reported.
The Aurangabad city police have also issued an advisory on its Twitter handle asking people not to believe in rumors spread on Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp.
The police have also warned that strict action will be taken against any person found propagating such information.
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