Holi celebrations set off Hindu-Muslim clash Text

Lucknow, March 1 : Tension gripped Uttar Pradesh's Badosarai town in Barabanki district Monday afternoon following a "minor clash" between Hindus and Muslims over Holi celebrations.

No one was seriously injured in the incident, police said.

The clash between the two communities erupted when some Hindus, who were moving in a procession, tossed in the air coloured water-filled balloons, one of which hit a Muslim girl standing a few metres away from the procession.

This infuriated members of the Muslim community and they resorted to pelting stone at the procession. Hindus, in the procession also retaliated. The timely intervention of security personnel brought the situation under control, police added.

"We acted swiftly and defused the tension within no time. The clash was a minor one. No one has been seriously injured in the incident," Deputy Superintendent of Police A.P. Mishra told reporters at Barabanki, some 35 km from Lucknow.

"The incident could have snowballed into a major issue, if our teams had failed to act in time. The situation is completely under control," he added.

Additional security force has been deployed in the town following the clash.

"We are not going to take any chances. Security in and around the town has been strengthened. Along with the regular police, the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) has also been deployed at the sensitive site," police inspector Har Prasad told reporters in Barabanki.