Click to play videoAgra/New Delhi: Violence erupted in Agra after four people were mowed down by a speeding truck, with angry protesters torching 20 trucks prompting authorities to clamp curfew in Nai ki mandi and Mantola area.
The incident took place during the procession of Shab-e-Baraat on Tuesday night. Of the four deceased, two were on a motorcycle and the other two on a rickshaw.
Following the accident, members of the minority community took to streets, stopping vehicular movement in the Dhakran crossing area. Police fired three rounds in the air and burst tear gas shells to disperse the irate mob.
However, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh said it was natural for the minority community of Agra to react in such a manner.
“If someone is getting killed during festival season it's natural for the people to react. The administration should have been sensitive to them. It remained a mute spectator,” Singh said.
While curfew has been imposed in a total of six police station areas to contain the violence that has left 12 people injured, prohibitory orders have been imposed in the entire city.
Curfew also been imposed near the Taj Mahal and nobody is allowed to visit the heritage site. UP government has also advised foreign tourists to stay indoors as a precautionary measure.
Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) has been deployed in the city to check violence and schools and colleges have been closed for the next three days.
Meanwhile, UP Home Secretary JM Chamber told CNN-IBN that the situation is under control and the state authorities will decide when the curfew should be lifted.
“Situation is under control now and people are staying indoors. Police is on alert and curfew has been imposed by the administrative authorities who will slowly and gradually lift the curfew according to the situation,” Chamber said.
Additional District Magistrate of the city and media personnel were also roughed up in the clashes. Describing the situation in Agra as grave, MP Raj Babbar appealed for calm.
“People have burned few trucks. Nai ki mandi and Subhash Park area are tensed. The incident happened at MG Road in Agra. Young boys were killed and that’s causing the anger among people. We should aim at controlling the situation and calming down people. The situation is grave,” Agra MP Raj Babbar told CNN-IBN.
Reports said the mob also attacked Nai ki mandi police station and tried to manhandle the police personnel.
Two fire engines, which were sent to extinguish the blazing trucks, were also set to fire by the agitators while couple of small factories were damaged in the violence.
Contingents of Rapid Action Force were also deployed in the troubled areas. Meanwhile, religious leaders have appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony.
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