Festivities turn into clashes in UP districts

CM warns communal troublemakers

An indefinite curfew was clamped in the communally sensitive town of Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh after clashes erupted between two communities during the immersion of Goddess Durga idols on Wednesday night on Dussehra’s occasion.

Several vehicles and shops were torched during the violence as police used tear gas shells and opened fire to disperse the warring mobs at Chowk area in the town which has a mixed population.

According to official sources here, the trouble sparked off after a stone fell on a procession heading for the immersion of idol of goddess near Rikabganj area.

‘Molestation’

However, other reports said violence began over a molestation of a girl.
People blocked roads at many places in protest against the violence while at many places, the police forced the Puja committees to immerse the Durga idols.

The rioters also clashed with police at some places after the security personnel tried to chase the troublemongers into the lanes.

Many cops received injuries as a result of stone-pelting carried out by violent mobs, reports said.

Reports of clashes have also been received from some places in the neighbouring Barabanki district.

Clashes occurred at Bhelsar in Barabanki district during the immersion of idols on Wednesday night.

Situation under control

Security personnel in strength has been deployed in the affected areas while indefinite curfew imposed in Faizabad kotwali area, sources said.
State police chief, senior police and civil officials rushed to the town to defuse the tension and bring the situation under control.

UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav warned of stern action against the troublemakers. He also announced that the government would pay compensation to the people whose shops had been vandalised.

“Some people want to disrupt communal harmony in the state. We will strenly deal with them,” Akhilesh said.