Indefinite curfew was imposed in the coastal town of Jaffrabad in Rajula taluka of Amreli district on Monday after clashes between Kharvas and Kolis, both fishing communities, left at least two people dead. Three more persons were injured when the police opened fire to disperse the crowd.The clashes began after a man was stabbed by a member of the other community at Town Chowk. Immediately, armed groups of Kharvas and Kolis hit the streets and fought pitched battles. They also set a few houses on fire. Another man was shot dead in the melee that followed — it is not clear if he was caught in the crossfire or shot dead by the rival community.Police said tension between the Kharvas and Kolis had been growing over business rivalries and clashes were frequent. Three months ago, a youth was killed in a similar clash.The dead were identified as Jiva Laxman (70) and Raju Solanki (23). Jaffrabad police said they fired several rounds and tear gas shells to control the mob. Amreli SP P.N. Patel and Range IG Tejpalsinh Bist are camping in Jaffrabad, but neither was available for comment. DGP A.K. Bhargav said the situation would have worsened had the police not ‘‘resorted to firing’’.
