PTI
  
Mumbai, Mar 16: Three persons were killed and at least 75 others sustained injuries when police opened fire to control two groups involved in a clash near Ghansoli in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.

While police said only one person was killed in the clash and 17 others, including a Deputy Commissioner of Police, were wounded, hospital sources in Navi Mumbai put the toll at three and the number of those injured at 75, a dozen of them due to police firing.

Orders prohibiting assembly of persons have been clamped in Ghansoli, while Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh informed the Maharashtra Legislature that a detailed statement on the incident will be made later in the day.

The clash took place between residents of Ghansoli village and 'Mathadi' (porters) workers, residing in a nearby locality, after Ghansoli villagers objected to the smearing colour on one of their girls against her wish by Mathadi porters yesterday, police sources said.

The two groups had come face-to-face yesterday, but police averted a clash last evening. However, both groups gathered this morning again which led to the clash.