INDORE, APRIL 3. Three tribals were killed when police opened fired to disperse a mob of tribals, during an operation to nab illegal woodcutters yesterday, at village Mehndikheda near Dewas, police said today.

Confirming the three deaths in police firing, the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr. P. K. Shivhare, told PTI over phone that police opened fire in retaliation as the tribals attacked the joint team, comprising the revenue, police and forest officials, with firearms and bows and arrows.

Mr. Shivhare said three policemen sustained pellets injuries, while a civilian was hit by a bullet in the stomach and is serious.

Two forest protection committee members were also injured in the incident, he added.

While a body is lying at Dewas, the bodies of two other tribals were brought to the Indore press club by the tribals.

Talking to reporters, a tribal who identified himself as Jherma alleged that the three were killed when police opened fire at tribals who were protesting the demolition of hutments by the Dewas district administration.

Two of the victims were identified as Balram and Pathan Singh, Mr. Shivhare said, adding that the third victim, lying in Dewas, had not yet been identified.

Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

Senior Dewas district administration officers, including collector Ashok Varnwal and Superintendant of Police Sanjeev Shami were camping at Bagli.