MINYA, Egypt: Seven people were injured in sectarian clashes in the town of Samalout in Minya yesterday after a young Muslim man flirted with a Christian housewife who was passing a bus station with her husband. Those injured have been sent to the hospital. According to the investigation, the incident began with an altercation between the young man and the wife's husband. It then escalated. Village residents joined the clashes and exchanged gunfire when another young man burnt a blacksmith's workshop and grocery store. Police and security forces went immediately to the bus station but failed to control the clashes, so they threw gas tears bombs. A curfew has been imposed on Minya until further notice. Eighteen people were arrested to prevent any outbreak of clashes against today after the Friday prayer. It worth mentioning that Samalout town has witnessed several incidents of sectarian violence over past years.
