The number of people arrested has gone up to 50 today, a day after violence broke out during a protest march in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Nearly 50 persons have been arrested a day after violence and arson broke out during a protest march by seers and local leaders in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency of Varanasi. They had gathered in a mark of solidarity against police action on protesters opposing the ban on immersion of Ganesha idols in Ganga.
Schools and colleges remained closed today following a direction by top district officials. Traffic was thin and only few tourists were visible in the Godowlia area that was hit by the violence.
According to officials, the situation is under control and "peaceful", but a large contingent of security forces are still deployed in the affected areas. Curfew imposed in four police station areas following outbreak of violence yesterday was lifted at around 9 PM last night.
Security forces are combing the affected areas since last night. The number of arrested has risen from 29 to around 50 this morning, for their alleged involvement in arson and brick batting.
25 people, including eight policemen, were injured as protesters went on a rampage, pelting stones and setting afire at least four police vehicles, booths, nearly half-a-dozen motorcycles and some shops. They also hurled crude bomb, said officials.
Police resorted to lathichage and tear gas shelling to disperse the mobs and bring the situation under control. Godowlia crossing in the violence-hit area is the main entrance road leading to the ancient Dashashwamedh ghat, and a large number of domestic and foreign tourist visit the area.
Lawyers in local district court also boycotted work for the second consecutive day against the police lathicharge on seers and locals on the night of September 22, when they were staging a dharna at Godowlia crossing over idol immersion issue.
Yesterday, Congress legislator Ajay Rai, some leaders from BJP and seers took out the march from Townhall to Dashashwamedh Ghat to protest against the incident of lathicharge, when violence broke out.