Seven people were killed and at least 10 wounded when police opened fire on a Muslim crowd in western India protesting against US-led strikes on Afghanistan, officials said Saturday.
The incident took place on Friday night in Malegaon town, in Maharashtra state, when local police prevented a group of Muslims returning from weekly prayers from distributing pamphlets urging traders and shopowners to boycott US-made goods.
The crowd, numbering around 100, started throwing stones at the police who opened fire in response, killing seven people and injuring 10, officials at the police control room in Malegaon told AFP.
Friday was also the Hindu festival of Dussera and a market day in Malegaon.
According to the Press Trust of India, army troops have been deployed in the town to maintain law and order.
"The reasons behind the riots and all who are responsible for the clashes will be identified later but our first priority is to maintain peace in the area," Maharashtra Home Minister Chaggan Bhujbal said.
State Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has summoned a meeting of his top ministers, including Bhujbal, and senior police officials in the Maharashtra capital Bombay to review the situation -- Bombay, (AFP)
