DHAKA: Three people were killed and 20 others injured in violent clashes between two groups in Saharanpur, western Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday.

The clashes broke out at 3 am over construction on a disputed piece of land. Shops were burnt, cars including some police vans, were set on fire and the office of the local fire department was gutted. Curfew has been imposed in the area.

The disagreement over the land in question had started over four years back. The Sikhs living in the area wanted to extend the area of their gurudwara. But Muslims, living just 200 metres away from the spot, claimed a mosque was situated here 10 years ago.

The case reached the local sessions court which recently ruled in favour of the Sikhs. The members of the Muslim community filed an appeal at the Allahabad High Court against the verdict, but that was later withdrawn.

On Friday evening, the Sikhs started construction on the land. That set off the trigger, with mounting tension in the area finally leading to the early morning clash.

Source: ndtv.com 

BDST: 1215 HRS, JUL 27, 2014