Old City sectarian clashes continue, two stabbed

Groups of two sects indulged in firing and brick-batting in different parts of the Old City area in Lucknow on Thursday, following the shooting of a youth in Wazirganj area last night.

Two youths were attacked with sharp-edged weapons when a group was staging a protest after placing the body of last night's victim at the Chowk crossing in the afternoon. District Magistrate Anurag Yadav and Senior Superintendent of Police RK Chaturvedi were present at the spot when the youths were attacked. Both are out of danger. A youth who got shot and injured in last night's firing was battling for life at King George Medical University's trauma centre. His father Ashok Yadav said that the doctors had not allowed the family to see his son, saying that he was on ventilator.

Additional DG (Law and Order) Arun Kumar said the elements involved in disturbing law and order had been identified and action would be initiated against them. He said that there was tension in the Old City, but the situation was under control.

Regarding last night's incident, the ADG said that power supply was snapped suddenly in the locality where a group fired on members of a sect who were holding a religious gathering. This appeared to be a planned attack and an inquiry has been ordered to find out the truth.

He also said that senior police officers had held meetings with clerics from two sects earlier and they had given in writing about maintaining peace while holding religious gatherings or taking out processions. Despite this, the groups from both sects indulged in violence, he added.

In the morning, groups of two sects indulged in brick-batting and exchanged fire in Satkhanda locality of Thakurganj police station area when members of one sect gathered to protest against last night's incident. A police force was sent which dispersed the troublemakers.

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