Ranjit Mahanti
TWENTY rioters have been arrested in connection with the communal violence at Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Shoot-at-sight and curfew orders remain in force in the city.
Saharanpur is nearly 170 km from New Delhi and 560 km from Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh.
The city witnessed clashes in wee hours on Saturday, between two communities over a land dispute. Members of one community started construction work at the disputed site in Kutubsher area. The other community members objected.
Three persons were killed on yesterday and 19 others including five policemen and a city magistrate were injured. A constable Shensar Pal was stated to be in serious condition.
Police had fired rubber bullets to control the situation. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC have been invoked in the district and curfew was clamped in six areas. Additional forces, including from PAC, CRPF, RAF and ITBP have been deployed in the troubled areas.