Saharanpur town in western Uttar Pradesh is tense after violent clashes between two groups on Saturday which resulted in the death of three and injuries to 20.

Following the violence, a curfew has been clamped in the area and shoot-at-sight orders have been issued.

Mayhem began in the early hours on Saturday after local Muslims found out that members of the Sikh community had begun construction on a disputed piece of land in the Kutubsher area on Friday evening. There were incidents of firing and arson from both sides.

Police resorted to firing rubber bullets in order to control the situation.

Rajesh Kumar Pandey, Senior Superintendent of Police of Saharanpur informed, "20 have been arrested so far... a peace committee meeting will be held in the afternoon... Curfew situation will be reviewed after that."

Home Minister Rajnath Singh had a conversation with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav last evening assuring all possible help from the Centre. After that, about 600 paramilitary personnel have been sent to the area.

The land dispute in Saharanpur began more than four years ago. While the Sikhs living in the area wanted to extend the area of their gurudwara, Muslims, living hardly 200 metres away from the spot, said that a mosque was situated at the site 10 years ago.

The matter reached the local court which recently ruled in favour of the Sikhs. Muslim community then moved the Allahabad High Court challenging the verdict, but later withdrew the case.

On Saturday while Sikhs claimed that a mob of thousands simply descended upon them and started firing and pelting stones, Muslims say that few of them had just gone to talk to the Sikhs when they were allegedly attacked.