Four persons were officially reported killed and nine injured when police opened fire on a mob in Malegaon, about 64 miles from here [Nasik] this afternoon [Sept. 24]. A 24-hour curfew effective from 1 p.m. was clamped down after mobs stoned police parties, set fire to shops and began looting them, an official source from Malegaon told PTI on the trunk telephone. An Inspector of Police and two Sub-Inspectors were seriously injured in the mob attack. Official sources said that the trouble erupted following the lodging of a complaint with the police this morning about a cow having been stolen and slaughtered. An order under Section 144 Cr. P. C. was promulgated at 10 a.m. but as mob violence broke out, the Collector ordered firing and also clamped down the curfew. The situation in Malegaon this evening was officially stated to be under control. A total of 135 persons were rounded up after the incidents. Among them was a prominent local Jan Sangh worker. Mr. Pradhan, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, and Mr. Kasbekar, D.S.P., are at Malegaon. The police said the news of the cow slaughter spread and a hartal was observed. Shops were closed. There was looting and arson and nearly 35 shops were looted. Two cinema houses were set on fire.