An altercation between a studio shop owner and customer over making a photograph led to clash between two groups, Superintendent of Police of Palamu Narendra Kumar Singh.
After the clash three shops belonging to a particular community were set on fire, police said.
A mob then blocked Aurangabad-Medininagar Road for four hour demanding immediate action against the culprits.
Para-military forces and additional police forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order as tension prevails in Harihargunj area of Palamu district, the SP said.