Restaurant bill sparks religious riot in India

A row over an unpaid restaurant bill in a western Indian city escalated into clashes between Hindus and Muslims that injured 175 people and left four dead, police said on Monday.

The unrest broke out in Dhule in Maharashtra state on Sunday, with 113 policemen among the injured, while four people were killed in police firing to control the violence, Special Inspector General Deven Bharti told AFP.

"The situation is now peaceful and under control," he said, confirming reports that the violence started with a quarrel over an unpaid restaurant bill.

Officials were maintaining a curfew imposed at the scene of the trouble and said they would assess the situation later on Monday.

Riots broke out between Hindus and Muslims in Dhule in October 2008, leaving 10 dead.

 

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