July 25, 2002	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 14,1423

RANCHI (India) July 24: Six people were killed on Wednesday in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand in clashes that involved bows and arrows during a strike called by tribal groups over employment, officials said.

The state’s home commissioner, Shushma Singh, said three supporters of the strike call died when they attacked policemen patrolling the streets, who immediately retaliated by opening fire.

Two other people were also injured in the incident and were rushed to hospital.

Singh said two others died when a pro and anti-strike group fought with each other with traditional bows and arrows as well as hockey sticks.

In a separate incident, one supporter of the strike died and another was injured in a fight with residents of a shanty town.

More than 50 tribal groups in the state have launched a campaign for the government to set aside jobs for families who have lived in the state since 1932, known here as “original inhabitants”.

However, the job reservation policy has not been implemented because of strong opposition from those who would be discriminated against by it.

Singh said on Wednesday police had to detain over 200 people who were trying to forcibly shut down all work in support of the strike.

Police had to fight pitched battles with the demonstrators in many parts of the state and fire tear gas shells and rubber bullets.

The strike supporters burnt over a dozen shops, ransacked some offices and damaged vehicles.—AFP