At least three persons were killed in police firing and many others were injured in communal clashes between two groups of minority communites in Sikh Chowni of Kishan Bagh in Rajendranagar police limits on Wednesday.

Trouble began after members of one minority community attacked the houses and shops belonging to another minority community following rumours of desecration of a religious flag. Armed with swords and other lethal weapons, the miscreants burnt several houses and shops and injured at least eight persons. Some local residents alleged that the rioters resorted to violence in the presence of the police personnel.

The security personnel tried in vain to control the clashing mobs. The police then opened fire on one group killing three people and injuring six others. However, the police is yet to come out with the official figures of those killed and injured in the police firing and other acts of violence. The injured have been shifted to different hospitals in the city for treatment.

Cyberabad Police Commissioner CV Anand said that the situation has been brought under control. He said prohibitory orders have been imposed in the Rajendranagar and surounding areas. Additional forces have been rushed to the Kishan Bagh area while picket have been deployed at all sensitive locations. The Rapid Action Force and other para-military forces have intensified patrolling in the troubled areas.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma, who visited the troubled areas, told media persons that prohibitory orders have been imposed in sensitive areas of the Old City as a precautionary measure. Patrolling has been intensified in all the sensitive areas of the city.