RANCHI (India), May 12: Thousands of street vendors attacked stores set up by Indian giant Reliance Industries in eastern India, saying the new nationwide chain threatens their livelihoods.

Some 5,000 vegetable-sellers vandalised three Reliance Fresh stores in Ranchi in the first violence against the firm's plans to build a local version of Wal-Mart, the world's largest retail chain, police said.

“If Reliance sells vegetables, then what do we do?” screamed fruit-seller Lalmunia Devi as protesters hurled rocks at the store's gleaming facade, smashing windows.

The demonstrators invaded the stores, overturning display units and damaging electrical generators.

Paramilitary troops used batons to disperse the demonstrators who shouted slogans against Reliance, India's biggest private sector firm whose main business is petrochemicals.

Two dozen street vendors were injured when police tried to stop the protesters from attacking a fourth Reliance vegetable store, officials said.

The vandalised facilities selling fresh vegetables were among the first to be set up in eastern India by Reliance.—AFP