Four persons have been killed in clashes between the police and residents of Bhiwandi, a textile town 50 km from Mumbai.

A mob allegedly lynched two policemen, while two persons were killed in police firing, as protests against the construction of a police station next to a mosque turned violent.

The bodies of the two cops were recovered on Thursday morning, sources at Bhoiwada police station told PTI.

The police constables have been identified as R Y Jagtap of the Bhoiwada police station and B R Gangurde of the Narpoli police station.

Security has been stepped up in the area and Rapid Action Force personnel have been deployed, police said.

Senior police officials, including Police Commissioner D Shivanandan are monitoring the situation.

Two persons were killed in police firing and at least 25, mostly policemen, injured in stone pelting on Wednesday, police said.

The deceased were identified as Ramjan Khan and Abdul Malik, both residents of the town, police said.

Residents of minority-community dominated Bhiwandi have been opposed to the construction of a police station adjacent to the Quarter Gate mosque in the heart of the town. They claim that the plot is a burial ground for the community.

UNI adds:

The Maharashtra government late on Wednesday night stayed the construction of the police station.

Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil is likely to visit the town and hold discussions with the citizens and the police.

Talking to UNI, a senior officer in the district termed the incident as the most unfortunate and said these were the handiwork of some fanatics. The plot was in possession of the police since 1920 and they have every right to construct structures over it, he said.