40 held for Rae Bareli communal clash over cricket match

Lucknow, April 29 : Around 40 people have been arrested for their involvement in a communal clash that broke out over a cricket match left at least 12 people injured in Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli district, officials said Thursday, adding the situation is now "absolutely normal".

"There's nothing to worry now. The situation is peaceful and normal in the Jais town. However, we are still maintaining round the clock vigil in the town and adjoining areas," District Magistrate Charanjeet Singh Bakshi told IANS on telephone from Rae Bareli, some 80 km from Lucknow.

According to police, the 40 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in

vandalising several shops, damaging vehicles and resorting to arson and brick-batting against their opponents and police

An altercation Wednesday between boys belonging to Hindu and Muslim communiities over a cricket match Wednesday in Rae Bareli's Jais town, some 80 km from Lucknow, snowballed into a clash as adults from both the communities joined in and resorted to arson and vandalism, police said.

"In the meeting that I convened to take stock of the situation, I was told by the officials that fights over cricket matches is not new in Jais town which frequently witnesses cricket tournaments at the local level. However, yesterday it snowballed into a major issue resulting to clash between members of the community. It's simply unfortunate," Bakshi added.

"We have arrested members from both the communities. In the wake of yesterday's (Wednesday) communal violence, we have strengthened security in Jais and adjoining areas," Rae Bareli's Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Saligram told reporters.

"To avert any untoward incident, we have deployed two companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) besides the regular police in the town. The situation is now under control," he added.

Inspector General of Police (Lucknow Range) K.L. Meena is camping in Rae Bareli along with other senior officers of the state police, officials said.