Clashes spark tension

TENSION PREVAILED in communally sensitive Muzaffarnagar and Bulandshahr in western UP on Monday following clashes between two communities over bursting of firecrackers during Diwali celebrations on Saturday night. While one person was killed in clashes in Muzaffarnagar, at least half a dozen people were injured in Bulandshahr in exchange of fire and brick batting.

TENSION PREVAILED in communally sensitive Muzaffarnagar and Bulandshahr in western UP on Monday following clashes between two communities over bursting of firecrackers during Diwali celebrations on Saturday night.  While one person was killed in clashes in Muzaffarnagar, at least half a dozen people were injured in Bulandshahr in exchange of fire and brick batting.

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Additional director general (law and order and crime) Padman Singh told Hindustan Times that additional police force and Rapid Action Force (RAF) had been rushed to both districts. He said while the situation was brought under control in Bulandshahr, tension was still prevailing in Muzaffarnagar.

According to information some youth objected to bursting of firecrackers late on Saturday night in Muzaffarnagar. While the youth of other community refused to stop bursting crackers after midnight, the other side started brick batting, resulting into the spread of violence in Kotwali area of the town. One person Pankaj Kumar was killed, when some unidentified miscreants opened fire from a country made pistol. Pankaj succumbed to gun shot injuries on Sunday morning.

Chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav today announced compensation of Rs five lakh to family members of Pankaj Kumar. An FIR was registered against five persons and one accused had been arrested.

In Bulandshahr, the clashes between the two communities ensued over firecrackers last night. The ADG said the situation was, however, under control.

He said vigil had been mounted in other communally sensitive places in the State.