News In Brief

Police open fire to disperse Sikh, Hindu flare-up

Police opened fire Monday on battling Sikhs and Hindus in the northern Indian state of Hariana, and authorities issued orders to shoot rioters on sight to stop week-long ethnic clashes that have killed 27 people.

The flare-up occurred as Home Minister P.C. Sethi toured trouble spots in Hariana. The Hindu-Sikh clashes have spread to Hariana from neighboring Punjab state, scene of an 18-month Sikh campaign for religious and political autonomy. The Hariana clash has halted renewed talks between Sikh leaders and government and opposition figures.