Orai (UP): Three persons, including a Samajwadi Party leader, were today (Feb 1, 2004) killed and six injured when police opened fire on protestors pressing for the release of a group of traders arrested in connection with a clash yesterday at Konch.

Inspector Dev Dutt Rathore, incharge of Konch police station, and his son opened fire on a mob which had gathered there to press for the release of three traders arrested yesterday, killing two persons on the spot and wounding another who succumbed in hospital, police sources said, adding among the dead was SP leader Surendra Niranjan.

Three traders were arrested in connection with a clash among them yesterday.

Rathore, his son and two police constables were arrested in connection with the firing on the protestors.

Resenting the action of the inspector and his son, the mob fired and hurled bricks at the police station prompting the police to open fire on them leaving six injured, they said, adding three cops, including inspector Rathore, also received injuries in firing and brickbatting by the mob.

The mob damaged Cochin Express train which was stranded at Orail railway station for several hours and traders observed a bandh in Orai and Konch towns.