NEW DELHI: Clashes between two north Indian villages have killed three people, officials said Thursday, just a month after sectarian violence between Hindus and Muslims left dozens dead and led hundreds of troops to deploy to the region.

In the latest violence, three Muslim men were beaten to death Wednesday night in Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh, District Magistrate Kaushal Raj was quoted as saying by Press Trust of India.

Police arrested eight people, and paramilitary troops are on patrol in the area, police official H.M. Singh said.

The agricultural district has been tense since early September when groups of Hindus and Muslims — some armed with guns, swords or clubs — engaged in clashes until hundreds of Indian troops were deployed.

Police arrested four local opposition politicians for allegedly inciting last month's violence, which left 62 dead.