Toll rises to 4 in Dhule violence, curfew remains

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, police said.

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

“Four persons, including an 18-year-old boy, have died. The situation (in Dhule) is under control since yesterday”, said Deven Bharti, Special IG in the office of Director General of Police here.

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

Dhule Police have registered cases under IPC sections 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 Macchibajar 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 persons were killed.

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