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Stray incidents of violence mark bandh in Uttar Pradesh

Sharat Pradhan in Lucknow

Uttar Pradesh on Friday remained tense, but 'by and large peaceful'.

Barring stray incidents of violence, two killings and a case of arson, the rest of the state remained calm.

About 500-600 persons were reported to have been arrested in connection with the sporadic incidents of violence attributable to the bandh call given by Vishwa Hindu Parishad to protest against the Godhra arson and killings.

Two Bharatiya Janata Party legislators were among those taken into custody -- one in Lucknow and the other in Varanasi, officials said.

According to reports from different corners of the state, an average of 70 per cent commercial establishments and markets remained closed, while educational institutions remained shut in most of the places.

Other than two killings reported in Aligarh, and a serious incident of arson in Mathura, in which the setting ablaze of a truck left its driver with 50 per cent burn injuries, the situation in the state, including that in the temple town of Ayodhya was described as peaceful.

Uttar Pradesh's principal home secretary Naresh Dayal described the overall situation as 'by and large peaceful'.

He, however, cautioned, "In view of the communal situation in Gujarat and considering the manner in which it is hyped over the television channels I would not deny that we were still sitting on a powder keg."

He said, "Keeping all this into account we have directed our entire police force to remain on high alert and maintain strict vigil right across the state."

"The Friday namaz also passed off peacefully without any trouble or provocation from either side throughout the state," Dayal said.

Referring to the Mathura incident, he said, "A truck, coming from Bharatpur in neighbouring Rajasthan, was set ablaze by violent mobs; they also tried to burn the driver alive, but timely arrival of the police saved his life, though he was still down with 50 per cent burns."

Meanwhile, no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in Ayodhya and Faizabad, which were virtually under siege as a complete shutdown was enforced at both the places.

Schools, government offices, post offices, banks, shops and other business establishments were closed as thousands of paramilitary and police personnel kept vigil.

At least 30,000 personnel from Central Reserve Police Force and Provincial Armed Constabulary were deployed.

Authorities have closed roads leading into Ayodhya for vehicular traffic.

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