Thaindian News

Lucknow, Aug 11 (IANS) Curfew continued in several parts of Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad city Thursday, two days after a communal clash involving Kanwariya pilgrims left around 13 people injured, police said.

“Even as no fresh violence has taken place in any part of the city, we have not yet taken any decision regarding relaxing the curfew,” Inspector General of Police M.K. Bashal told IANS on phone from Moradabad, some 250 km from here.

“A decision in this regard could be taken during a high-level meeting with the district authorities to take place today afternoon,” he added.

Curfew was clamped in areas under six police stations - Katghar, Galshaheed, Majhola, Kotwali, Nagphani and Mughalpura after violence broke out in Dasarai locality late Tuesday following heated arguments between some Kanwariyas who are Lord Shiva’s devotees and local Muslims.

Members from both communities Tuesday resorted to stone-pelting and fought pitched battles with police. A police outpost in Aslatpur area and several vehicles were also set on fire.

According to police, around 50 people from both the communities have been arrested till now for their alleged involvement in violence.

Tuesday’s violence is linked to a dispute between the two groups Aug 6.

“On that day (Aug 6), Kanwariyas wanted to take out their procession from an undeclared route, while members of the minority community were strictly against it. The Kanwariyas then resorted to arson and vandalism. We believe Tuesday’s communal clash is linked to that incident,” said a police officer, who declined to be identified.