RAF and police personnel today patrolled the streets in riot-torn Mau where curfew and shoot-at-sight orders remained in force even as communal flare ups were reported in some pockets in neighbouring Ballia and Ghazipur districts.
The Mulayam Singh Yadav government, facing flak over handling of the communal strife in Mau, today set up a three-member committee to probe the circumstances leading to the rioting that left seven dead and 36 injured.
The committee, to be headed by state Revenue Board Chairperson Neera Yadav, would submit its report within three weeks, the Chief Minister said at a press conference in Lucknow.
He said the communal frenzy that erupted in Mau on Thursday night over Dussehra festivities had claimed seven lives and left 36 wounded, including seven policemen.
In all, 252 people had been arrested in connection with rioting, he said.
Indefinite curfew and shoot-at-sight orders remained in force in Mau where an uneasy calm prevailed as authorities strictly implemented curfew restrictions.
RAF, PAC and police personnel, under the supervision of newly-appointed Divisional Commissioner and the DIG, patrolled trouble-torn areas, Principal Secretary (Home) Alok Sinha said in Lucknow.
He said the situation in the town was under control and any decision on relaxation of curfew would be taken after further reviewing the situation.
In neighbouring Ballia district, several shops belonging to a particular community were torched in Bhimpura area.
A report from Ghazipur district said some shops were burnt in Kasimbad area. A jeep belonging to a supporter of Independent MLA Mukhtar Ansari was also torched.
The Principal Secretary, however, said he had no knowledge of communal violence in the two districts.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
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