Lucknow, Aug 10 (IANS): Violence broke out in Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh on Monday after the body of a young woman was found hanging inside a police station.

After the incident came to light, angry residents surrounded the Mahmudabad police station and pelted stones at the policemen. More than half a dozen police vehicles were also damaged.

Police resorted to cane-charge to disperse the mob. They later fired blanks after the mob refused to retreat.

The woman was identified as Zeenat, daughter of Maqbool, an employee at the Mahmudabad telephone exchange.

The woman's father said she was missing since Sunday night.

Lucknow Inspector General of Police Zaki Ahmad, Sitapur police superintendent Rajesh Krishna and district magistrate Suryapal Gangwar rushed to the spot to defuse the situation, a home department official told IANS.

Police said the situation remained tense but under control. Additional security personnel have been deployed in the area.