Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday night witnessed its eighth major communal incident when two communities clashed during the immersion of idols Goddess Durga in Faizabad district. UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav ordered the secretary (home) and DGP to visit the violence-hit district and warned of strict action against those found guilty of inciting violence.
Violence broke out late Wednesday when some persons had thrown stones that hit the idols and this led to trouble. Over a dozen persons were injured. The agitated mob indulged in arson and violence and set several shops on fire. Property worth several lakhs of rupees was gutted.
The violence continued on Thursday morning after which indefinite curfew was imposed. Schools and colleges have been closed till further orders. ADG (law and order) B.P. Singh said two persons — Durga Prasad and Mohammed Umar — had been killed but their deaths were not related to the communal violence.
Additional forces have been deployed in the district to prevent retaliatory violence. Principal home secretary R.M. Srivastava said the situation was tense but under control.
Wednesday’s flare-up is the eighth major communal clash in UP since the SP came to power in March this year.