50 held for violating prohibitory orders

Gorakhpur, Jan 28 (UNI) Fifty people, including a MLA and MLC, were arrested for violating section 144, of the CRPC which was imposed in this district of Uttar Pradesh following a communal clash.

Curfew in Kotwali, Tiwaripur and Rajghat areas was imposed yesterday after a communal clash on Friday night and shoot-at-sight orders issued against violators. Besides, section 144 (prohibitory orders) was imposed in other police station areas.

Police today said 50 people including MLA Dr Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, MLC Dr Y D Singh, BJP leader Shiv Pratap Shukla were arrested for violating the orders.

Meanwhile, on the call of successor of Gorakhnath Peeth and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Yogi Aditya Nath, all shops and colleges were closed in Gorakhpur and seven districts of Basti division.

Miscreants had opened fire in a 'baraat' procession on Friday night, in which over 24 persons were wounded in Ismailpur under Kotwali police station area.

Some people, trying to escape the shootout, entered a moharram procession nearby, leading to a clash between the two groups. The situation turned tense after an injured Raj Kumar Agrahari died at Gorakhpur Medical College.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the family members of the deceased.

According to the state government, the situation was tense but under contol.

UNI