Authorities imposed curfews in two Indian towns after 11 people were injured in clashes between Hindus and Muslims during a Hindu festival, a news report said on Sunday. A procession of Hindu revelers in the Holi festival of colors was stoned from a rooftop on Saturday by unidentified people in a predominantly Muslim area in Sojat, a town in western Rajasthan state, the Press Trust of India news agency quoted police as saying.
Some shops were burned down as rival groups clashed before police separated them and imposed a curfew in the town, about 270 kilometres southeast of state capital, Jaipur, PTI said. At least 11 people were injured in the clashes, PTI said. Other details were not available. A curfew also was imposed in Utraula in northern Uttar Pradesh state, where Hindus and Muslims set nearly 20 shops on fire as tempers frayed during the festival Saturday, PTI said. Utraula is 560 kilometres southwest of New Delhi. PTI said no fresh violence was reported Sunday in the two towns and authorities would likely lift the curfew later in the day. |