13 arrested, 3 cops suspended after communal violence in UP

Gonda (UP), Sept 24: 13 persons have been arrested and three policemen suspended in connection with yesterday's communal violence in Kotwali area.

Station House Officer Kaudia Alok Dubey, Station incharge Badgaon Digvijay Nath Shahi and head constable Ramesh Rai have been suspended on charges of dereliction of duty, district magistrate Ajay Kumar Upadhyaya said today.

He said that 13 persons from both sides have been arrested and all schools and colleges have been closed today as a preventive measure.

The DM said that an assessment of loss caused due to violence was being done and financial assistance would be given to those affected.

Tension erupted in the city after members of two communities clashed during a religious procession yesterday.

The incident occurred when stones were allegedly hurled from a religious place on the procession of the other community on Utraula road.

Following this, members of the other community also indulged in violence and set afire a shop. Members of both the communities also clashed and hurled stones on each other at Ekta tri-section in Chowk area.

They chased away the circle officer and the city magistrate, who went there to control the situation with police. Some shops were set afire in this area also.

PTI