UP celebrates Holi with fervour amid minor brawls

From the bylanes of Vrinadvan, Barsana and Mathura in Braj to the ghats of Varanasi, Holi was celebrated across Uttar Pradesh on Friday with fervour but some incidents of clashes and firing were also reported at a few places.

While there were reports of minor clashes and incidents of firing at some places, the festival of colours passed off peacefully, a home department official informed.

Two people were injured when two groups clashed in a Fatehpur village.

In Mathura, one person was injured in a firing incident after a verbal spat over playing music turned ugly, leading to the two sides exchanging fire.

Police officials said there were scores of complaints from various cities and towns about loud decibel music being played at public places, vulgarity at display in public places and drunk driving.

All these issues were settled almost immediately due to effective policing, a senior police official said while informing that leave applications of all policemen had been turned down to ensure a peaceful Holi.

Many ministers in the state government celebrated holi among their constituents while Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav spent his time with family and supporters at his native village Saifai.