BHAGALPUR-Army helicopters were helping surveillance operations in this riot hit town where the toll according to BBC has climbed to well over 200. Bihar home Minister Arya told newsmen that the situation was tense but under control
A large number of bodies were pulled out from a well in the university campus.
Hindu, Muslim riots have erupted across several north Indian States as Hindus plan to demolish a mosque to build a temple in Ayodhya town of Uttar Pradesh.
The death toll rose with 133 fresh reports of causalities during the last 48 hours pouring in from different localities.
Officials, however, confirmed only 52 deaths but conceded that a foolproof count could not be car tied out because of the highly disturbed situation.
Over 100 others have been injured and many of them are serious.
The violence started after some people attacked a religious procession in Bhagalpur. The riot had Thursday spread to the neighboring town of Munger claiming seven lives, PTI adds.
Three people were stabbed to death Friday near Ghantaghar area, while another died near a girls college.
Over 10 students were reported killed in the past 48 hours in a hostel in the Parvati area.
Reports of 10 more deaths were received from BariKhanjarpur, Naya Bazar, Koila Ghat and Bulanath areas.
Bomb blasts and gun shots continued to send waves of panic through the town despite shoot at sight orders and the imposing presence of the army and paramilitary forces.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 3, 1989
