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| Sunday, 5 January 2003 |
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India protesters torch buildings, clash with police PATNA, India, Jan 3 (Reuters) - More than 500 people in eastern India were arrested on Friday after mobs torched government buildings and clashed with security forces during a strike called to protest the killing of three youths by police. Protesters fought pitched battles with police in the streets of Patna, capital of Bihar state, hurling stones and burning tyres, witnesses said. Police caned demonstrators in many places and fired tear gas at one intersection to disperse the crowds, police said. At least 10 people were injured in the violence over last Saturday's shooting of three Patna youths who police said were criminals but who city residents said were innocent. Six policemen have been suspended over the killings pending an investigation. The statewide strike, called by opposition political parties, was the second this week. State police chief R.R. Prasad said the shutdown was total across the state with stores and business closed and that most of the violence and arson was reported in the state capital. "They (rioters) torched a police outpost and two government office buildings in the city," Prasad told Reuters, adding police had arrested more than 500 people in Patna. He did not have information on whether arrests had been made elsewhere. There were no reports of serious injuries, he added. The strike also hit rail traffic as authorities halted train travel in the state during the shutdown to avert damage to coaches, stranding thousands of people in neighbouring regions. |
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