Indefinite curfew was imposed in Rudrapur town of Udham Singh Nagar district on Sunday after two persons were killed and several injured following an alleged act of sacrilege that triggered clashes between two communities, the police said.
The condition of two injured persons is stated to be serious. Unruly mobs set on fire five shops and scores of vehicles, Udham Singh Nagar Senior Superintendent of Police G.S. Martolia said.
Three deaths?
Though unconfirmed reports said three persons were killed, an official statement confirmed two deaths in the violence that spread to different parts of the town. Mr. Martolia said security had been increased, with the police conducting patrols across the town.
Fire brigade and police personnel were pressed into service immediately after people began throwing stones and torching public property.
“The situation is still tense, but under control. Rapid Action Force [RAF] is being deployed in the area,” he added.
Defence sources in Delhi said the Air Force would be airlifting RAF personnel from New Delhi to Pantnagar.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri described the violence as sad and asserted that anti-social elements would not be allowed to disturb communal harmony in the State.
He was monitoring the situation closely and had asked senior police officials to take stern action against miscreants, a spokesman from his office said.
He had also directed authorities to provide best medical care to the injured, the spokesman added. — PTI
