Ludhiana, Dec 4 (IANS) Curfew was imposed in parts of this Punjab city as hundreds of migrants went on a rampage Friday morning, burning several vehicles and blocking the
highway and railway tracks to protest police inaction against an alleged gang of bikers looting them for the past few months.

Curfew was imposed in five areas of Ludhiana — division no. 6 and 7, Simlapuri, Focal point and Sahnewal — following the violence.

The mob of angry migrants set ablaze several vehicles, including two buses, trucks, cars and scooters, near the industrial focal point area of Punjab’s biggest city. Eyewitnesses said at least 25 vehicles were set on fire.

The Ludhiana-Delhi National Highway No.1 (NH-1) stretch between Sherpur locality here and Sahnewal town was blocked due to the violence. The busy stretch of the highway saw huge traffic jams on both sides. Police and district authorities tried to divert traffic through other smaller roads which soon got choked.

Railway traffic was also affected as nearly six trains were held up at various stations due to violence and blockade on railway tracks by the mob in Ludhiana. Railway officials said trains were stopped at Ludhiana, Ambala and other stations. They added that trains were being diverted to other stations.

Police used tear gas, cane charge and firing in the air to disperse the rampaging mobs. Reinforcements were rushed from all neighbouring districts to control the situation.

Punjab’s Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) J.P. Birdi told IANS: “Violence has broken out in the area. The mob has set several vehicles on fire. I am myself reaching the spot. Police reinforcements and officials are on the spot to control the situation.”

District police officers were unavailable for comments.

Hundreds of migrants started the protest on NH-1 Friday morning following another looting incident Thursday night. Some migrants went to the area police station to get a case registered but the police reportedly did not take action.

Ludhiana, which is Asia’s biggest industrial city and home to big brands like Hero and Oswal groups, attracts thousands of migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other states every year for jobs.

Over one third of the city’s 4 million (40 lakh) population is of migrants.