Situation in violence-hit Loni under control

The situation in Loni town near Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, where members of two communities traded gunfire and indulged in arson, was fast returning to normal on Friday.

Inspector general of police (Meerut zone) Gian Singh, who visited the town along with senior superintendent of police Deepak Ratan, said initial reports suggesting that three persons were killed in the violence were not correct.

Singh said the reports about the deaths emanated due to "miscommunication" between the police and the medical staff in a hospital where those injured in the firing and stone pelting were admitted.

Ratan had said on Thursday night that the warring groups had opened fire on each other leaving three persons dead and six with bullet wounds.

The clashes took place following a dispute over construction of a wall of a building in a locality dominated by the minority community.

The IGP said the situation in the town was under control and returning to normal. Personnel of the paramilitary Provincial Armed Constabulary have been deployed in the affected areas, he said, adding that 14 people belonging to both the groups have been detained on charges of arson and violence.

At least 30 people were injured in the violence on Thursday night during which one police jeep and two other vehicles were set on fire and three buses damaged.