Communal tension was reported in Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh when some Hindu groups took to the streets on Saturday after some posters and banners of Bhagwati Jagran were found ripped off the walls in a locality.
According to the police, some posters of a Jagran were found torn in Babupurwa locality on Friday night, triggering protests in many parts of the city.
Agitated people jammed the road where Muslims’ Tazia procession was to be taken out.
“Some people were injured when stones were thrown and angry groups vandalised property. Following this, the District Administration clamped prohibitory orders across the city and security was stepped up,” a police officer said.
A Home Department official said the situation was tense but under control.
The BJP state unit accused the Uttar Pradesh government of failing to maintain communal harmony.
“This type of callousness has been the hallmark of the Akhilesh Yadav government over the past three years. They have not only publicly sided with one community but have also allowed small issues to spiral out of control into major flash points,” BJP state spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak said.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up across the state following communal flash points in many parts of the state over the week. Violence had erupted in Banda, Ambedkarnagar, Kannauj and Fatehpur following communal clashes.
Barring a few minor incidents, Muharram was observed across the State, the police said.
Stray incidents were reported from Kushinagar and Jaunpur districts following disputes over minor issues but timely intervention by the police prevented any ugly situation, the police said.
Elaborate security arrangements were made throughout the State for the safe passage of religious processions, officials said.
Over 20 companies of PAC and RAF were deployed in Lucknow on the routes identified for the procession, they added.
Muharram is a day of bereavement, when Muslims give charity, observe fasts and pray in remembrance of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed who was martyred some 1330 years ago at Karbala in Iraq. -- IANS and PTI
