Fresh violence in Bombay: Two killed in firing
Bombay: Two persons were killed when police opened fire in the Dadar area today, as fresh violence broke out in several parts of Bombay within hours of the expiry at five this morning of the overnight curfew.
Today’s deaths brought the number of casualties to 10 in the two days of disturbances sparked by an agitation launched by the Shiv Sena over the border dispute between Maharashtra and Mysore relating to Belgaum.
It was officially learnt that 20 rounds were fired by the police this morning in the Dadar area.
It was, however, not clear immediately whether this included the occasion when the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Rebeiro fired shots to disperse a group of people who were trying to cut down a huge tree near the Dadar Police station, presumably to use it for blockade purposes.
No one was injured in the firing. Five persons were taken into custody, the police said.
Police said today goonda elements started several fires last night and also attacked three police stations. Fire Brigade men could not reach the affected areas and the police themselves put out the flames.
The Army has been alerted to standby to aid the civil authorities in maintaining law and order in Greater Bombay.
Life in Greater Bombay continued to be paralysed as the orgy of violence, loot and arson by rioting mobs continued for the third day today.