Violence spreads in Mau, two more are killed

Lucknow: Violence continued unabated in Mau district for the third consecutive day on Sunday after a communal flareup that has claimed seven lives so far.

Two more persons were killed and five others injured in a fresh bout of violence on Sunday. While one person was shot dead near the railway station, another was killed in mob violence near Madanpura.

Three dead bodies were also recovered from the riot-affected areas.

More than 180 persons have been arrested in connection with the riots that began on Friday, following a dispute over use of microphone during the traditional Bharat Milap programme that is a part of the Dussehra festivities.

Four senior officials, including the commissioner, the district magistrate, the deputy inspector-general of police and the senior superintendent of police, have been suspended.

While Mau town remained largely peaceful on Sunday, communal violence spread to the suburban areas and outskirts of the township, from where sporadic incidents of communal clashes were reported throughout the day. There were reports of a school being burnt down by rioters even as the paramilitary forces continued to stage flag marches in the township.

The state election commission has, meanwhile, deferred the panchayat elections in Mau district, where polling was scheduled for October 17 and 20.

The state's principal home secretary, Mr Alok Sinha, told reporters that curfew was on in Mau town and the district administration had been asked to make arrangements for the supply of food to residents.

A cleanliness drive had also been launched in the riot-affected district. The entry of political leaders has been banned in Mau district, and senior BJP leaders — Mr Kalyan Singh, Mr Kesri Nath Tripathi and Mr Lalji Tandon — who were on their way to Mau on Sunday, were stopped at Jaunpur and asked to return.

The district officials insisted that Independent MLA Mukhtar Ansari, who is being blamed for the communal trouble in Mau, had left the district on Saturday but sources confirmed that Mr Ansari was at his home in Mau on Sunday and was issuing directives to his men who defied curfew orders and could be seen roaming freely in the riot-affected areas.

UP chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has announced compensation of Rs 2 lakhs for the kin of each of those killed in communal violence in Mau and Rs 25,000 for those injured in the incidents.