Violence in Gorakhpur after road accident

Violence broke out in Gorakhpur Thursday following the death of a trader in a road accident, police said. Angry at the incident, an irate mob torched a police motorcycle, vandalized property and damaged many vehicles.

The mishap took place in Kanchanpur village in the Gulhariya area when a truck rammed into a tractor-trolley. A local trader was killed in the accident.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Gorakhpur, Akash Kulhari told IANS: "Following the accident, villagers came out in large numbers and indulged in violence. They also chased and beat up policemen and consigned a police bike to flames."

"They also pelted stones on passing vehicles after which the police resorted to cane charge, lobbed tear gas shells and fired several rounds in the air," he added.

The situation was brought under control after more than an hour. Police said the situation was now normal but additional police has been deployed in the area to check any further violence.