Agra remains tense after communal clashes

Violence started during the Milad-un-Nabi procession on Sunday

Parts of Agra remained tense even on Wednesday after communal clashes were reported during the Milad-un-Nabi on Sunday and its aftermath.

Nai Mandi area, which is populated by both Hindus and Muslims, had seen clashes when Muslim youths allegedly cut electric wires of the market to clear the way for the religious procession on Sunday evening. When the local shopkeepers objected to the cutting of wires and asked the culprits to be handed over to them, somebody threw stones at the crowd which led to rioting and violence.

Peace meet in vain

Agra’s Senior Superintendent of Police Rajesh Modak and District Magistrate Pankaj Kumar held peace meetings with community leaders on Sunday evening. But violence erupted again in the same area on Tuesday with people pelting stones at each other.

Two persons have been arrested so far. The local market was closed even on the third day and one Rapid Action Force company remained deployed in the area.

DIG of Police Laksmi Singh has given instructions that the area be off limits to political leaders till the situation is back to normal.