Curfew continues for third day after sectarian clash in old city

Lucknow, Apr 3 (UNI) Curfew continued for the third day today in two police station areas of the state capital, evenas the situation was fast returning to normal after Sunday's sectarian clash on Barawafat procession.

SSP Jyoti Narain here today said the situation is peaceful in the trouble torn areas and the authorities were yet to decide on whether to give any relaxation in the curfew so far.

One person who recieved a bullet injury, died in the clash whereas 13 injured were being treated in the hospital. State authorities have already announced an exgratia payment of Rs one lakh to the family of the deceased.

More than 50 people have been taken in custody in connection with the clash so far.

Police sources, however, said there is no strictness of the curfew in the bylanes of the curfew-bound areas so the people were not facing much hardship.

Meanwhile, all the officials of the district are engaged in the assembly election nomination process which started this morning, hence decision on the relaxation of the curfew will be taken only in the evening.

Curfew was imposed in two police station-- Chowk and Thakurganj-- areas of the state capital following clash between two groups on the occasion of Barawafat.

The trouble which started in Musahibganj in the old city area caused tension in sensitive parts of the old city prompting authorities to impose curfew first in Thakurganj police station area and later to Chowk kotwali area as a precautinery measure.

The Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the additional police force was deployed to contain the sitaution.

The trouble had started during the Barawafat procession when one section of a comunity pelted stone. It resulted into a clash between two groups in which several persons received injuries.

Later, Milad-un-Nabi procession passed off under heavy security and the administration was trying hard to check spread of rumours in the state capital.

Clerics and community leaders have also come forward to calm the tempers which were running high after the clash between two groups while the district administration has also appealed for restraint.

UNI