Two people were killed and 41 injured as members of two communities clashed in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

Two people were killed and 41 injured as members of two communities clashed in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, on Friday night.

The 41 injured people also include 15 police personnel. Police sources said nearly 50 vehicles and 25 shops were gutted in the clashes.

As a precautionary move, authorities have suspended mobile internet services in the city, a news agency reported.

Confirming the death toll and number of injured, Dr Kailash Zine, resident medical officer (RMO), at Government Medical College, Aurangabad, said two people were brought dead to the hospital, along with 41 who were injured.

"Most people had injuries on head and eyes due to stone pelting. Nine people have been admitted and the rest were discharged after being administered first aid," Dr Zine said.

The clashes took place in Gandhinagar, Rajabazar and Shagank areas of the city. As the clashes escalated, members of the two communities resorted to stone pelting and also set many shops on fire.

To disperse the crowd, police had to resort to firing, in which a child was grievously injured and one youth killed.

News agency reported that police forces were rushed to the locality but they failed to control the violence and resorted to caning



and firing teargas shells. Plastic bullets were also used to quell the rampaging crowds, the report said.

Speaking to India Today, Special Inspector General Milind Bharambe confirmed the death one youth due to bullet injury.

Bharambe said there were two rounds of violence, one Friday evening followed by another on Saturday, but "now the situation is under control", reported.

"It was a small issue but it escalated due to rumours and the tensions spread. Some anti-social elements indulged in setting ablaze shops and vehicles in the locality," Bharambe told the media. "The investigation is on and it is too early to say anything at this moment," he said.

He also appealed to the people to not take law into their hands and maintain peace. "We are doing our duty. If one group is hurling stones, the other group must not respond likewise,"he said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been apprised of the matter while Minister of State for Home Deepak Kesarkar is rushing to Aurangabad to take stock of the situation, an official said in Mumbai.

Police have started a combing operation in the affected areas. They have also started collecting videos of the clashes and will start identifying miscreants based on them, police officials said.