Soro situation soars; indefinie curfew imposed

Etah, May 30 (UNI) An indefinite curfew was today imposed in the month-old Soro tehsil, which was under locals' wrath from the last few days, over cancellation of its ''tehsil'' status.

The situation slipped out of the administrations' hands and police resorted to firing upon the mob, which claimed the life of one person, official sources said.

Several people also sustained wounds in the violence.

According to the reports, the protestors pelted stones and torched some boggies of passenger train en route from Pilibhit to Mathura.

The irate mob also set on fire two police vehicles, besides ablazing a Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) mobile tower. They also burnt tyres on roads in furore.

The locals in rage pelted stones upon senior policemen, in which Superintendent of Police (SP) and other policemen sustained injuries.

Following the tensed situation, the district administration imposed curfew in the area, while Etah-Aligarh-Badaun and Bareilly routes have been blocked.

The situation worsened today when 'Tehsil Bachao Sangharsh Samiti' was protesting to press for their demands and had a spat with administrative officials.

Meanwhile, an agitator climbed up a mobile company's tower over the same.

However, when the mob pelted stones upon the police, the policemen resorted to firing in order to quell them.

On May 23, a meeting of Uttar Pradesh Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Mayawati had decided to set up Sahabar tehsil against the existing Soro tehsil in the new Kanshiram Nagar.

Earlier in April, the CM had announced exclusion of Kaasganj tehsil from Etah district and formation of new Kanshiram Nagar district.

Soon after this, the locals of Soro tehsil had took to streets over cancellation of their tehsil for the adjacent Sahabar town.

Taking serious note of the situation , the district administration had also ordered closure of schools and colleges for indefinite period.

UNI XC-JAS BDP US1923