Kanpur (IANS)
One killed as policemen open fire

The situation in Kanpur was under control with no recurrence of violence after one person was killed and five policemen were injured yesterday in a clash between a group of Muslims and police.
A group of nearly 1,000 Muslims, said to be associated with Uttar Pradesh’s ruling Samajwadi Party, attacked the Armapur police station in Kanpur, 85 km from here, to set free two people who were detained on Saturday night for using loudspeakers in violation of the Election Commission’s prohibitory orders, a police official said.
The rioters said the loudspeakers were being used for Barawafat celebrations, marking the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad. Police, however, maintained it was being used for campaigning for the upcoming assembly polls.
Eyewitnesses claimed police opened fire as the mob turned increasingly violent. Of the seven people injured, one succumbed to his injuries later in a hospital.
Kanpur Deputy Inspector General of Police Daljeet Chaudhary said: “Five policemen had suffered serious injuries in the mob attack.
“Seven people have been arrested. There is no recurrence of violence in the city,” Chaudhary said.
Meanwhile, curfew was clamped in parts of Lucknow after violence and arson marred a procession in the old city area to mark the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad. As many as 13 people, including seven policemen, were injured in a fight over passage of the procession.
“A group of people raised objections over the procession being taken out through the Thakurganj locality,” said District Magistrate Ramendra Tripathi. “While people were trying to sort out issues through dialogue, some rogue elements started pelting stones at the procession. A free-for-all ensued between the rival groups and soon snowballed into pitched battles,” the official said.