PTI

Agra, Aug 29: One person was killed and about 50 cops were injured when a mob, reacting over the death of four youths in a road mishap, went on a rampage here on Wednesday forcing the local authorities to clamp curfew in six localities.

Prohibitory orders have been imposed in the city after violence broke out in the wee hours after the youth taking part in the Shab-e-barat procession were run over by a speeding truck.

Additional police personnel have been rushed from the neighbouring districts of Mathura, Etah, Mainpuri and Ferozabad and RAF and PAC were deployed in strength to maintain order in the city. Schools and colleges have been closed for three days.

In Lucknow, Principal Secretary (Home), J N Chamber said one person from the public was killed in the violence. At least 20 vehicles, including fire tenders and police jeeps, were set ablaze by the angry mob, which indulged in heavy stone pelting in which about 50 police personnel, including senior officials, received injuries.

Some factories were also set afire by the mob. Four firemen and two police personnel were reported to be in serious condition, Chamber said.

The district administration had announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs one lakh each to the next of the kin of the deceased while Rs. 25,000 would be provided to the seriously injured people.

Curfew has been clamped in six police station areas of Mantola, Tajganj, Nai Ki Mandi, Lohamandi, Rakabganj and Sadar.

Chamber said police fired in the air to chase the rampaging mob and the situation was now fully under control.

When asked about the person killed in the violence, he said the victim was standing on the roof of a house and he could have been struck by a bullet. He said traffic on the national highway had been restored. To a question, he said some tourists might have been stranded owing to curfew in the Tajganj area.

Chamber said arrangements would be made to ensure that tourists did not face any difficulty if they wanted to leave, although it would be safer for them to remain confined to their hotels.

Asked whether there was any lapse on the part of officials, Chamber said prima facie it appears that there was some laxity as despite traffic restrictions trucks were able to enter the area from where the procession was being taken.

He said stern action would taken against erring officials. The first priority, however, is to restore peace in the city, he added. He said RAF, PAC and civil police jawans had been patrolling the curfew bound areas and directives had been issued to enforce the curfew strictly.