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Five killed as protest against US evangelist's remarks turns violent

At least five people were killed and 11 injured in arson and violence in Solapur, Maharashtra, on Friday as a protest against US preacher Jerry Falwell's reported remarks against Prophet Mohammed turned violent, forcing authorities to clamp curfew in parts of the city.

The police opened fire in the air as mobs resorted to arson and heavy stone pelting during a bandh, official sources said.

They torched several vehicles, shops and buildings in Tilak Chowk, Balives and Tuljapurves areas of central Solapur, they said.

Additional security forces have been called from neighbouring districts to prevent any untoward incidents in the night, city Police Commissioner Bhagwantrao More said.

The Muslim Council of India, the Raza Academy and the All India Sunni Community had given the bandh call.

In Nashik several business houses downed their shutters, while dharnas were organised in Malegaon.

In Mumbai, ulemas attempted to march in protest to the US consulate but were stopped midway by the police as Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh intervened to assure them that their protest would be conveyed to the US authorities.

The delegation included Maulana Mussenha Miya, chairman of Raza Academy, Sayed Siraj Azhar, vice-president of Raza Academy and Maulana Mansoor Ali, head of the All India Sunni Jamiat Ulema.

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