Curfew imposed in Agra after violence over death of 4 youths

Agra/Lucknow, Aug 29 (UNI) Indefinite curfew was imposed in six police station areas in Agra city this morning following violence after four youths of a particular community were crushed to death in a road accident.

About 30 people including an ADM rank officer along with some mediapersons were injured in the brickbatting indulged by the mob.

Police had to use mild lathicharge to disperse the mob who showered stones on the securitymen. Police also resorted to fire in the air in the communally sensitive Mantola and Tajganj areas to control the situation. However, no one was injured in the police firing.

Trouble started when a mob torched 12 trucks and several shops after four youths, who were returning from a nearby graveyard in connection with Shab-e-baraat, were mowed down by a truck near Subhash Chowk area on the Mahatma Gandhi Road in the city in the wee hours.

Of the four deceased, two were on a motorcycle and the other two on a rickshaw.

Police had to clamp curfew in Mantola, Nai Ki Mandi, Tajganj, Loha Mandi, Rakabganj and some portions of the Sadar police station areas, after the mob tried to attack shops of a particular community.

Reports said the mob also attacked Nai Ki Mandi police station and tried to manhandle the policemen.

Two fire engines, which were sent to extinguish the blazing trucks, were also set to fire by the agitators while couple of small factories were damaged in the violence.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Agra Range) Kamal Saxena, who is on the spot, told UNI that additional police forces were rushed from nearby Aligarh and Hatras districts while section 144 was clamped in the city.

Contingents of Rapid Action Force (RAP) were deployed in the troubled areas.

As a precautionary measure, the city administration ordered the closure of schools and colleges in the city.

Religious leaders have appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony.

UNI