Patna, Aug. 12: A curfew was imposed in Nawada today following violent clashes between two groups, which left one person dead and five seriously injured.

The violence, which erupted on Friday evening after a skirmish between two rival groups, continued for the fourth consecutive day today.

Nawada sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Dewan Zaffar Hussain Khan said a shoot-at-sight order has been issued today. Residents of the town have been asked to remain indoors. “An assembly of five people or more at a particular place and display of firearms have been banned,” he said, adding that the district administration’s decision to clamp curfew in the town was announced through the public address system.

The administration has also closed all the government schools and other educational institutions till August 14 as a precautionary measure. The state government deployed an additional district magistrate and directed inspector-general of police (Patna zone) to camp at Nawada till normalcy returned in the troubled-torn town. The chief minister, after review of the situation, issued instructions to deal sternly with those trying to spread rumours and urged people to maintain peace and harmony.

Principal secretary of information and public relations department Brajesh Mehrotra said the curfew was clamped in Nawada to instil confidence among the people.

Nawada superintendent of police Manavjeet Singh Dhillon said a youth was shot dead by unidentified men at Ansarnagar and a few shops were set on fire at Vijay Bazaar. A merchant navy personnel and his relative were seriously injured when a group of people pelted stones on them. Two policemen were also hurt in the pelting, he added.

Nawada district magistrate Adesh Titarmare said 15 people have been detained for interrogation. The West Champaran district administration clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in Bettiah to prevent further group clashes.