Three killed in anti-Bush protest

A protest against a visit to India by US President George Bush turned into a clash between Hindus and Muslims today that left three people dead and 18 injured, police said.

The violence in the city of Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh state, erupted when dozens of armed Muslims tried to force Hindu shop owners to shut their stores to protest Bush’s visit, said police spokesman Surendra Srivastava. Police have since brought the violence under control, he said.