Angered over the delay in solving a case, residents of Sahibabad in Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday clashed with the police that left five people, including a policeman, injured.
Police said the people were protesting because the concerned police station had not been able to arrest those guilty of throwing acid on a young girl.
They said the girl was admitted at a hospital in Ghaziabad where she was undergoing treatment.
"They first came to protest and shouted slogans outside the police station but suddenly some of them attacked the police who were on duty," said JN Singh, senior superintendent of police.
He said other residents of the area soon joined the protesters and started assaulting policemen at the Karan Gate police post.
"We had to use force and some bullet shots were fired in the air to disperse the crowd," Singh said.
"We had no option but to order a baton charge. We have arrested three people on charges of assault."
The attack on policemen is the second in five days.
{{/usCountry}}The attack on policemen is the second in five days.
{{/usCountry}}In an earlier incident February 13, policemen were assaulted by a group of villagers following a rumour that a person had been killed in police custody.
The agitated mob burnt four motorcycles and assaulted policemen before they were dispersed.