Tension in Lucknow, officials pelted with stones

Lucknow, July 20 (IANS) At least half a dozen persons, including three police officials, were injured in here on Tuesday night when an angry mob pelted stones on them, police said.

According to police, the incident took place in Vineet Khand of the posh Gomtinagar area after some people began a protest with regards to holding of a religious programme at a community park.

"There was some tension between two communities over holding of a religious programme at Pragya park on Sunday. Today the anger manifested itself in the stone pelting incident," an official told IANS. Following the violence, a large contingent of police personnel was rushed to the spot.

Circle Officer (CO) Mohanlalganj, CO Gomtinagar, a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) and the additional city magistrate (ACM) sustained minor injuries in the stone-pelting. District Magistrate Raj Shekhar and SSP Manjil Saini are on the spot to control escalation of violence, a home department official said.

Seven persons, including two women, have been arrested for their role in the violence. The arrested persons include a BJP youth wing leader and a BJP corporator.

"We are maintaining vigil, situation is tense but under control. Tomorrow (Wednesday) a peace committee meeting of locals will be held to normalise things," an official told IANS. Even late at night, tension still prevailed in the area.