LUCKNOW: One person was killed and about six injured in a group clash in Gorakhpur town, Uttar Pradesh on Friday night. Indefinite curfew has been imposed in the three police station areas of Tiwaripur, Rajghat and Kotwali.

The situation was described as tense but under control. According to a spokesman of the State police headquarters, the incident was sparked off by a dispute over payment to an orchestra, which had been engaged to perform at a wedding reception. What started off as a financial dispute degenerated into a communal clash.

The police spokesman said the marriage reception of Neeraj Tewari was held at DAV Degree College under the Kotwali police station area on Wednesday night.

After the orchestra finished its performance the leader of the group asked to be paid, but the hosts refused on the grounds that the amount quoted was more than what had been agreed to.

This led to an altercation between the two groups. The orchestra leader was thrashed by some drunken youths. The spokesman said the youth fearing for his life sought refuge in a Moharram procession, which was passing through.

When the youth was finally caught, those in the procession protested. Violence and arson soon broke out.One person, identified as Raj Kumar Agrahari, was killed in an exchange of fire between the two groups, while several were injured in stone-throwing.

The arrival of the police brought the situation under control.

Curfew was imposed in Tiwaripur, Kotwali and Rajghat police station areas.

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