Tension prevails in UP capital after clashes

Lucknow, Mar 4 (UNI) Tension still prevailed in the Uttar Pradesh capital after communal violence broke out yesterday killing at least four persons and injuring over 20 others.

Additional force has been deployed in the most affected areas of Aminabad and Kaiserbagh, the busy market areas of the city, even as the BJP and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad have called for a bandh here to protest the communal flare-up in the city.

Trouble had started from Nazirabad following an anti-Bush procession which was stoned resulting in large-scale violence and arson which saw many shops, buildings and vehicles gutted.

Six companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and PAC had been pressed into service in view of the prevailing tension in these areas, a district administration spokesman told UNI here.

Curfew remained inforce in Kaiserbagh and Aminabad areas as the agitated members of one community were staging demonstration in front of Aminabad police station with the body of one of the victims.

The state government has announced to suspension of UP Board exams for High School and Intermediate which were to take place at the Centres located in the troubled areas.

The spokesman said that the district administration was making efforts to perform last rites of the victims in a peaceful manner to avoid further tension. He described the situation as 'very tense'.

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