3 die as Dalits riot in Maharashtra
Afp, Mumbai
At least three people died and dozens were hurt Thursday as low-caste Hindus rioted in the western Indian state of Maharashtra over the vandalism of a statue of their leader, police said. A mob representing a political faction of what are locally referred to as Dalits (Oppressed) targeted buildings and vehicles to protest the alleged vandalism several days ago of a statue of their late leader, BR Ambedkar, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. "We have arrested dozens of these rioters across the state," Maharashtra police chief PS Pasricha said, confirming three deaths but not the cause. He also said there was sporadic street violence Thursday in Mumbai, the country's financial capital, related to the incident. Violence was also witnessed in several other towns in Maharashtra as protesters hurled stones and burned buses and other transport, police said.
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