Civic chief’s death sparks violence in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW - The death of a ‘nagar palika’ (municipal board) chairman in Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur district Saturday sparked violence as his supporters went on a rampage damaging public property and set vehicles on fire, police said.

Khaleel Ahmad alias Buddhu Pehalwan died early Saturday. His supporters alleged Ahmad died of shock after being falsely implicated in a case of Dalit atrocity.

Later in the evening, enraged mob pelted stones at police and torched at least four vehicles, including a car of the sub-divisional magistrate, in Hamirpur, some 300 km from Lucknow.

Police baton charged the protesters and fired several rounds in the air to disperse the angry mob.

“The situation is tense, but well under control. Additional security has been deployed in the wake of the violence,” police inspector Mahadev Singh told reporters in Hamirpur.

Police have detained at least 10 people for their alleged involvement in the rioting.