Curfew clamped on parts of Allahabad

Allahabad, Sep 1: Curfew has been imposed in some areas of this holy city after a rampaging mob, protesting the alleged desecration of a sacred book, attacked police personnel, police today said.

The district administration late last night imposed curfew in Kareli, Atarsuia, Shahganj, Khuldabad, Kotwali and Rajroop police outpost of the Dhoomanganj police station.

A strong posse of security personnel, including PAC jawans, police and Rapid Action Force, has been deployed in the areas.

District Magistrate Ashish Kumar Goel has ordered the closure of all schools and colleges in the city for the day.

Violence erupted following a rumour in Kaladanda area under Kareli police staton that some pages of a sacred book were damaged at a religious place. Members of a particular community took to the streets and started shouting slogans and pelting stones despite assurance by the police that the guilty, if any, would be punished.

Many police personnel, including two sub-inspectors, were injured while police vehicles were also damaged in the incident.

Police fired several rounds in the air and lobbed teargas shells to disperse the violent mob which had gheraoed the Kareli police station and pelted stones at the police personnel.

Three youths were reportedly injured in the firing. However, the police denied that anyone was injured.

Top district and police officials manned the disturbed area last night to bring the situation under control.

The situation was under control and peaceful, the police said.

The police this morning staged a march past in the curfew-imposed areas to infuse a sense of security among the people.

''No one involved in this incident will be spared and action taken against the guilty people,'' Inspector General of Police, Allahabad zone A K D Dwivedi said.

The District Magistrate, leaders of social organisations and Qazi of Allahabad Kari Maqbool Ahmad Habibi have appealed to people to maintain peace and not be misled by rumours.

UNI