3 killed in Gujarat clashes, curfew clamped

AHMEDABAD, OCT 1: Indefinite curfew has been clamped in Sojitra town of Anand district after three persons were killed and three others injured on Saturday night when two groups clashed over the outcome of zilla and taluka panchayat elections.

Beginning as a political fight, the clash soon took a communal tone with members of two communities attacking each other with sharp-edged weapons, sticks and pipes. Unofficial sources said four persons died in the clash that broke out at the Sojitra main market around 8:45 pm.

The Congress won two zilla panchayat seats and the BJP two taluka panchayat seats. Police said around 15 members of a community attacked another group after they were abused following the announcement of results. Soon the groups began pelting stones at each other. Three persons were stabbed before police could reach the spot.

The area remained tense throughout Sunday as the bodies had still not been brought back to the town for the last rites. Additional security forces have been deployed in the town.