Four more die as ethnic violence spirals in India

INDIA: Four more people have died in clashes between an ethnic group demanding more government aid and police in northern India, bringing the death toll this week to 17, officials said Thursday.

Police on Thursday shot dead two protesters belonging to the Gujjar community in Rajasthan state's Sawaimadhopur district after a police station was set ablaze, police inspector-general Ajit Singh told AFP.

"Police opened fire after a huge mob went around torching government buildings and vehicles in the district's Boli town," Singh said by telephone from the state capital Jaipur.

Another protester died overnight when police opened fire, while a fourth died of bullet wounds sustained on Tuesday when the Gujjar shepherd community went on a rampage.

A total of 17 people including at least two policemen have died in the violence and more than 100 been injured in the desert state bordering the Indian capital.

Talks between state officials and ethnic leaders failed to quell the protests. Some 20 vehicles were torched as the violence spiralled Thursday.

"The situation is not yet under control. We are in talks with those who are demonstrating for reservations," State Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said.

Jodhpur, Friday, AFP