Moradabad village tense after clashes

Lucknow, July 5: The situation in Kanth village in Moradabad district continued to be tense Saturday, following Friday's clashes between BJP workers, villagers and police in which the district magistrate and some police officials were injured, the authorities said.

Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Shiv Shankar Singh said the situation was "tense but under control".

Rail traffic, which was disrupted, was partially restored Saturday. A lone train engine, then a goods train and then a passenger train left amid tight security from the Kanth railway station, where villagers Friday fought with police and pelted stones.

Additional divisional railway manager Hitendra Malhotra said that for now, things were normal and police have assured that there was adequate patrolling on that rail route.

Police said extensive patrolling was on in the violence-hit areas and urged people to report any problems they face.

Meanwhile, the four Bharatiya Janata Party leaders - Amroha MP Kanwar Singh Tanwar, Rampur MP Nepal Singh and Sambhal MP Satyal Saini, along with Sardhana legislator Sangeet Som - who were detained Friday have been released.

BJP state president Laxmikant Bajpayi has constituted a five-member team to look into the Kanth incident.

BJP legislator Suresh Khanna will head the team and submit a report to the state unit.

There had been tension in Kanth for the past one week after loudspeakers were removed from a temple in the village.

IANS