Situation tense in Muzaffarnagar as death toll climbs to 10, curfew imposed

The army has been deployed to control the situation in the trouble hit areas of Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district where ten people including a journalist were killed in communal clashes.

According to reports, at least ten persons, including a TV channel journalist and a photographer hired by the police have been killed and around 40 injured in clashes between two groups since yesterday.

Violence broke out in the Kawal area of Muzaffarnagar yesterday when members of a community returning from a panchayat meeting in Naglabadhod, three kilometres from Kawal, clashed with members of another community.

According to TV reports, Rajiv Verma, who worked as a freelance television journalist, was reportedly caught in the crossfire at Meenakshi Chauraha. In Sekeda village, a photographer who the police had hired, was beaten to death.

Appealing for calm, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said, "People should not pay attention to the rumours and exercise restraint. Whosoever has done this will not be allowed to go scot free."

"All senior officials are looking into the matter in Muzaffarnagar. They have been ordered to take strict action wherever necessary. A curfew has been imposed. I would appeal to all the people there to maintain peace and do not trust or listen to any rumours," Yadav added.

The government has announced an ex-gratia of 15 lakh Rupees to the next of kin of the deceased scribe, while an ex gratia of Rupees ten lakh each has been announced for the kins of deceased civilians. Intensive patrolling by the security forces is on.