Dhule violence toll rises to 4

DHULE: The situation in north Maharashtra's Dhule town continued to remain tense on Monday as the death toll mounted to four after members of two communities clashed with each other, police said.

One more person died yesterday at Dhule Civil hospital and the curfew was still in force in the town.

75 people have been arrested in connection with the riots, special Inspector General (IG) S P Gupta said.

The members of both the communities have been shifted to safer places from Gajanand Nagar and Railway station locality, they said.

Trouble began yesterday when some people, belonging to a particular community allegedly tore off banners of Hindu Rakshan Samiti appealing to people to attend a meeting in Dhule's Ram Mandir Chowk in the evening, they added.

In the ensuing violence, four persons were killed and more than 80 injured, including policemen and additional collector. The injured are being treated at Dhule Civil hospital, they said.

In the melee, rioters indulged in heavy stone-pelting, looting shops, torching vehicles in Azad Nagar, Gurudwara, Mogalai, Bhangar Bazaar, Ekveera Devi temple areas.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil visited the riot-affected area this afternoon and discussed the matter with top government and police officials to prevent further flare up.