July 21, 2002	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 10,1423

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AHMEDABAD, July 20: Two people were killed and eight injured when police opened fire to disperse a rioting mob in Gujarat on Friday, a police spokesman said.

A group of Hindus and Muslims clashed in Rahiya Darwaja Chowki area of Viramgam, about 70 kilometres northwest of Ahmedabad, after thugs set fire to a wayside shop, he said.

“This led to a clash between the two communities, with people going on a rampage, setting shops on fire and pelting stones at each other,” the spokesman said, adding that six people were injured in the stone-throwing.

Police fired 24 rounds to disperse the mob, killing two and wounding eight, he said.

An indefinite curfew was imposed in the area after the incident and the security personnel presence increased to prevent any eruption of violence, the spokesman said.

More than 1,000 people have died in Gujarat since Feb 27, most of them Muslims, in riots.

Friday’s violence occurred hours after the Gujarat’s

BJP-led government was dissolved to pave the way for fresh elections before schedule. —AFP