Agra: Violence after truck mishap, curfew imposed

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Last updated on: August 29, 2007 12:54 IST

Agra was on a boil on Wednesday after a speeding truck crushed four youths taking part in a religious festival, triggering protests from locals, who went on a rampage setting afire 20 trucks.

The protestors also clashed with police, prompting authorities to clamp curfew in some areas.

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.

PAC has been deployed in Agra to check violence and schools and colleges have been closed for three days.

Violence broke out after the four youths taking part in Shab-e-Barat festival were crushed to death late on Tuesday night.

Following the accident, the members of the community took to the streets, stopping vehicular movement in the Dhakran crossing area.

Police fired three rounds in the air and burst teargas shells to disperse the mobs that had set ablaze 20 trucks and one dozen shops.

District Magistrate Mukesh Meshram said the situation was under control.

Since the police was looking after the law and order in the city due to the two festivals Shab-e-Barat and Janamasthami, enough force was not immediately available, he said.

The areas where curfew has been imposed are Mantola, Nai Ki Mandi, Loha Mandi, Sadar and Taj Ganj.

Describing the situation in Agra as grave, Member of Parliament Raj Babbar appealed for calm.

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