One person was killed and more than 20 others injured after clashes broke out Sunday night between two sections over an issue involving a landlord and his tenant.
An angry mob went on the rampage and burnt down several shops after a young man, identified as Azad, was killed by a stray bullet.
DIG Kanpur Neelabhjo Chowdhary said the police have identified trouble makers and were conducting raids for their arrest.
Trouble started when a mob attacked the landlord who had gone to negotiate the evacuation of a shop which has been with another family on rent for over 100 years.
The landlord, aged around 70, was accosted by a group of 60-70 men while he was leaving the site and beaten up mercilessly. The local leader of a political party is said to be have instigated the mob into attacking the landlord.
This evoked a sharp reaction from the other side, leading to brickbatting and indiscriminate firing.
Tensions continue to prevail in the district and a heavy police force has been deployed to prevent further trouble.