03/10/2011 12:00
India: 3 killed, 30 hurt in Uttarakhand clashes
At least three people were killed and 30 injured, including 10 policemen and senior administrative officials, in communal clashes in Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand on Sunday, prompting authorities to impose curfew in several areas, The Times of India reported.
Violence broke out around 7.30am after a copy of Quran wrapped in an unclean cloth was found on the premises of a Hindu temple near Indira Chowk on the Delhi-Nainital National Highway on the outskirts of Udham Singh Nagar city.
As news spread, Muslims took to the streets and threw stones at Hindus living near the temple. Hindus then retaliated resulting in clashes.
"So far, 25 people have been arrested," Rajeev Gupta, principal secretary (home), Uttarakhand, said.
Over 25 shops owned by both Hindus and Muslims were set ablaze and more than a dozen police vehicles damaged.