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Tensions escalated in Barabanki and Mau districts as protests over the "I Love Muhammad" campaign turned violent in Bareilly with police carrying out overnight house-to-house raids to nab the culprits and arresting a prominent cleric. Officials said on Saturday security forces have been deployed in strength and social media was being closely monitored to keep the situation under control. On Friday night, following the clashes in Bareilly, tension erupted in Faizullaganj village in Barabanki district, located adjacent to the state capital, Lucknow, after a banner with the words "I Love Muhammad" was torn down. One side alleged that a local watchman named Dhanni broke the rope with a stick and brought down the banner. Following this incident, members of one community gathered at the scene and expressed their displeasure. Members of the other community also began gathering, creating a tense atmosphere in the village. Dhanni's house was reportedly vandalised by some youths. Upon receiv
Amid tension after demand for demolition of "unauthorised" mosque structure in Mandi and protests by Hindu outfits, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday appealed to the people to maintain peace and brotherhood and said tourists are welcome. "We appeal to maintain peace and brotherhood and welcome tourists," said the chief minister while addressing media persons after an all-party meeting here with state Congress chief Pratibha Singh, BJP leader Randhir Sharma, CPI(M) leader Rakesh Singha, AAP leader Surjit Singh and others. "I have appealed to everyone to maintain peace and make no provocative statements, and that is why an all-party meeting. No one is allowed to take the law into their hands. "We respect everyone. The land of Himachal has respect for all religions," the chief minister said. Referring to the protest on Friday by Hindu organisations demanding demolition of the "encroached" structure of a mosque in Mandi town, he said Himachal Pradesh is a