NEW DELHI, March 14: At least 23 people were killed and many injured in Holi revelries across the country on Thursday and Friday last.Holi was marred by a communal riot in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra resulting in the killing of two Dalits.A delayed report received here said the clash between the neo-Buddhists and upper caste persons occurred at village Jonoda in Kalam police station area of the district, 165 km from here. Two Dalits were killed on the spot in the attack. Four others were injured in the clash.The resident deputy collector of Yavatmal said that the clash appeared to be the fall-out of the gram panchayat elections. There was discontent among the upper caste people following reservation of the post of the sarpanch for the Scheduled Caste under the roaster system, he said.In Uttar Pradesh, eleven people were killed and over a dozen injured in separate incidents in the state. Revellers in Bihar's Vaishali district clashed at various places resulting in the death of at least fivepeople, including a child, and injuries to 36 others.In Gujarat, five youths drowned in Mahi Sagar river near Vasad village about 20 km from Vadodara last night in Holi-Dhuleti festivities. Hundreds of people had assembled for taking a dip in the river when the tragedy took place.Uttar Pradesh witnessed several incidents of violence in the run-up and during the celebrations. Two people were killed and eight injured in a shoot-out during the burning of the traditional bonfire (Holika) at Heerasingh Nagla village in Farrukhabad district on Thursday night.In Etah district, three people were killed in sporadic incidents of violence. The district magistrate said personal enmity was the reason for the killings. A youth was stabbed in Mahavirganj locality under the Jalesar police station. In Kotwali Patiyali, one person was killed when some miscreants opened fire during a Holi Milan function. A woman was killed when some people under the influence of liquor threw stones at her in Nagla Beech village.Twoothers died in a shooting incident at Bahadurpur village in Farrukhabad. Two people have been arrested in this regard. In Farrukhabad, a child was killed when revellers threw him into a well yesterday.Four people were injured in incidents of stabbing in Barhnamau village. While three others were injured in a scuffle during Holika celebrations in Garhya Kokg village.In Purshottampur village in Azamgarh district, three people were killed in clashes between people of two communities. The incident occurred after some people sprayed colours on group of people belonging to another community. They regrouped and in the ensuing clash three people lost their lives.In Bihar, one person was murdered at Jajalpur village under Mahua police station and body of a child recovered at Ghataro village under Kartaha police station.Thirty-six people were injured in a clash between two groups of holi revellers in different parts of the district.
