Over 100 booked, 6 arrested after communal clash near Agra

Agra: Prohibitory orders remained in force and personnel of Rapid Action Force and PAC carried out flag march in Shamshabad town, on the outskirts of Agra, in an attempt to ward off any trouble in the aftermath of Thursday’s communal clashes.

The clashes had erupted in the town, 30 km from Agra city, after some purported comments surfaced on social media against a community.

Senior Superintendent of Police Rajesh D Modak appealed to the people on the FM radio not to pay heed to rumours and maintain peace at all costs.

The SSP said that cases have been registered against 100 people and six persons have been arrested. Several others have been detained for questioning. Uneasy calm prevailed in the city and several companies of Rapid Action Force and Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary have been deployed.

They carried out flag march yesterday evening amid imposition of Section 144 in the town. The prohibitory orders have also been clamped in Agra city, District Magistrate Pankaj Kumar said.

“The administration does not want communal trouble to spill over to the villages,” said a police official in Shamshabad town. The town looked deserted today, as shops remained closed and movement of people was restricted.

The DM said that anyone found inciting people or spreading lies will be firmly dealt with. Senior police and administrative officials are camping in the town. BJP MP of Fatehpur Sikri, Choudhary Babu Lal, was also prevented from entering the troubled town yesterday evening.

The trouble broke out on Thursday after some people posted provocative messages on Facebook against a community. Violent clashes broke out later in the town, in which at least a dozen people were injured.

Three policemen were injured in the stone pelting. Sensitive areas in Agra city have also been put under vigil and additional forces deployed to contain the flare-up. “Video footage is being studied to identify troublemakers,” the SSP said.