Three persons were today killed and 35 others, including cops, injured when two groups of devotees clashed and exchanged fire following a dispute over offering prayers at a temple on Ram Navmi here, prompting police to open fire.
A quarrel erupted among the devotees on the ritual of offering flags at the ancient Brahmani temple in ravines of Balrai area this evening. The situation took an ugly turn when two groups of devotees clashed with each other and opened fire.
Police claimed that bullets were fired towards police and provincial armed constabulary (PAC) personnel, prompting them to open fire in a “bid to control the situation”.
Three persons were killed and around 35 devotees and police personnel, including station officer of Balrai Jai Shyam, were injured.
Senior administrative and police officers have reached the spot.
Of the three killed, two were identified as Munna Lal (35) and Virendra Singh (40). It was not clear whether they were killed in police firing.
Senior Superintendent of Police Rajesh Modak said some devotees attempted to enter the PAC and police camp and apprehending that their weapons might be taken away, the security personnel also opened fire.
—PTI