Hindu-Muslim clashes injure scores in India

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Hindu-Muslim clashes injure scores in India

HYDERABAD (March 30 2010): Authorities fired tear gas and warning shots and swung batons on Monday to disperse crowds of angry Hindus and Muslims who attacked each other with stones and clubs in southern India, where more than 75 people have been injured. Communal rioting broke out Saturday in Hyderabad, capital of southern Andhra Pradesh state, and about 1,600 paramilitary soldiers and police have been deployed to calm the situation, A.K. Khan, city police commissioner, told reporters.

Trouble started after Muslims hoisted green flags as part of celebrations of the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) birthday a month ago but never removed them. Clashes erupted Saturday between the two communities after Hindus attempted to replace the green flags with saffron ones to celebrate a Hindu festival.

Violence continued on Sunday with dozens of vehicles torched and half a dozen mosques and temples damaged, Khan said. More than 75 people have been injured since Saturday, he said. Hostilities persisted Monday despite police banning the assembly of more than five people in one place and closing markets and schools for the day, he said.

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