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Arson marks Durga immersion in U.P.

Special Correspondent

Many arrested; heavy force deployed in violence-hit areas

LUCKNOW: Group clashes and arson marked the Durga immersion ceremony at three places in Uttar Pradesh on the last day of Ramlila festivities on Monday. Several persons were arrested by the police and heavy force has been deployed to prevent escalation of violence.

A spokesman of the State Home Department said here on Tuesday that barring these incidents Dusshera passed off peacefully in the State.

Two persons were reported to have died in clashes at Masauli, Barabanki district on Monday night but there was no official confirmation of the deaths.

Masauli witnessed large-scale violence and arson with four private buses, a Maruti and a scooter being torched by the angry mob which also vent its ire on roadside shops and some hutments. Five other buses were damaged by the mob that had staged a chakka jam on the road.

State Home Secretary Arun Sinha told reporters that the violence was sparked off following rumours that the route of the procession carrying the idols of Goddess Durga for immersion had been changed at the behest of a particular community. Reports said that some persons had objected to a particular section in the route allotted for the procession.

Mr. Sinha said the procession was stopped and the people resorted to a road jam. He said several policemen were injured in the stone-throwing incidents by both groups. He said the situation was brought under control with additional deployment of police and PAC. The Home Secretary said 15 persons had been arrested and the arrests were still continuing.

Twenty-six persons were arrested in Kaushambi near Allahabad following a clash between members of one community and the organisers of the Ramlila festivities. According to the Home official, the Kaushambi incident was sparked off by reports of eve-teasing.

In Begumpur village in Bahraich district, several persons were injured in heavy stone-throwing by two sides after a tractor-trolley carrying the Durga idol was punctured by some persons.

Four buses were damaged in brick-batting at Kachhauna in Hardoi district on Monday. The station house officer of the Kachhauna police station was transferred on Tuesday.

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