2 killed as police open fire in Varanasi

Two people were killed and at least 14 others, including half a dozen policemen, injured as police opened fire to disperse members of two communities who clashed in Varanasi during Holi celebrations.

Two people were killed and at least 14 others, including half a dozen policemen, injured on Wednesday as police opened fire to disperse members of two communities who clashed in Varanasi during Holi celebrations.

HT Image

SSP Varanasi P C Meena said police opened fire to quell violence that broke out during Holi celebrations near Gausiya Masjid in Bajardiha locality under the Bhelupur police station in Varanasi.

Those killed have been identified as Shafikur and Md Moin of Bajardiha area. Their bodies have been sent for postmortem.

"Trouble started after some Muslim youth saw a splash of colour on the wall of the Gausia mosque and they pelted stones on a nearby Hindu locality. Police immediately swung into action and surrounded the area and fired teargas to control the situation," Meena said.