Thaindian News

Lucknow, June 17 (IANS) As many as 10 people have been arrested for their involvement in a clash between two groups which led to a curfew being clamped in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut district and left 20 people injured, an official said Wednesday.
“We have learnt that 10 people have been arrested for indulging in arson and other violent acts. More people may also be arrested later in the day for their involvement in the clash,” District Magistrate Kamini Chauhan told IANS on phone.

A verbal dispute between shopkeepers and a group of Muslim protestors snowballed into a violent clash late Tuesday night in Lisari Gate of Meerut, about 350 km from here.

“Some shopkeepers allegedly manhandled the driver of a tractor-trolley carrying the Muslim protestors. The driver was allegedly trying to park the vehicle in a prohibited area close to a railway crossing,” said Superintendent of Police (Meerut City) Rakesh Jolly.

The violence soon spread to other localities, including Ghantaghar, Pir Tiraha and Bhumia Pul, where angry mobs targeted buses and police vehicles. At least six police motorcycles were set ablaze.

In order to disperse the angry mob, the police along with Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel resorted to lobbing tear gas shells and baton charging the vandals.

The 20 people injured in the violence include six policemen.

“The injured are undergoing treatment. No one is in a critical condition,” said Jolly.

Following the clashes, a curfew was clamped on the area and a large number of policemen were deployed.

Although no violence was reported since Wednesday morning, the district administration decided not to relax the curfew.

“Taking into account the tense situation in the district, we have decided not to relax the curfew imposed in various localities coming under Kotwali, Delhi Gate, Brahmapuri and Lisari Gate police stations,” said Chauhan.