Bareilly (UP): At least 20 people were injured in a communal clash sparked by a dispute over taking out of a Holi procession today (March 6, 2004), forcing police to fire in the air to quell violence.

The situation aggravated when coloured water fell on some people coming out of a mosque as the procession was winding its way through Mathki Chowk area, Senior Superintendent of Police S A Rizvi said.

Members of the two communities indulged in heavy brickbatting and police had to swing batons and fire in the air to bring the situation under control, he said.

Twenty people were injured in the violence, the SSP said, adding adequate police had been deployed in the area to maintain peace.