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Shiv Kumar in Bombay
Municipal elections in Malegaon near Nasik in Maharashtra have been put off owing to violence following anti-US protests.
The town, some 200km north of Bombay, was scheduled to elect a new municipality on December 2.
Analysts say the violence broke out primarily because of aggressive jockeying between two local political bigwigs. Legislator Sheikh Rashid of the Congress and Nihal Ahmed of the Janata Dal (Secular) have accused each other of instigating the violence with an eye on the polls.
Both parties are members of the Democratic Front coalition that rules Maharashtra.
Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who holds charge of the state's home department, has, however, refused to comment on the involvement of local politicians in the violence.
Over the past week, incidents of arson and violence were reported from within the town and a number of villages surrounding it. Several places of worship too were damaged. Police are not releasing details of the dead and injured or about the places of worship damaged to prevent the spread of violence.
Indo-Asian News Service
EARLIER REPORTS: Malegaon peaceful, curfew relaxed in some areas Decision on probe after collector's report: CM Tense Malegaon faces acute shortage of water, food Curfew continues in Malegaon, toll increases to 13
ALSO SEE: Malevolence in Malegaon: A slide show The day the Khans and Sayyeds saved the Pawars
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