NEW DELHI (PTI): Riots triggered off by the destruction of the disputed Babri mosque continued unabated in the six worst-hit states including Maharashtra Assam and Uttar Pradesh as 97 more deaths were reported Dec.9 taking the toll to over 700.
Other states affected by the violence are Gujarat Karnataka and Kerala.
In Uttar Pradesh widespread violence in several districts claimed 21 lives Wednesday including 11 in Kanpur.
With this the number of casualties in the state has gone up to 80 besides injuries to over 250.
Most of Wednesday’s fatal cases were reported from Ayodhya Faizabad Pilibhit Meerut Bijnore Sambal Jalaun and Mau districts.
Over 2000 people have so far been arrested in the state for involvement in violence.
The rapid action force and the Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF) remain in complete command of the situation in and around the disputed Structure in Ayodhya.
Over 30 persons were killed in Assam Wednesday, taking the toll in the north eastern state to 60 since Monday, with shoot at sight orders issued in Hojai sub-division of Nagaon district where the army has moved in, and indefinite cure few imposed, official sources said.
The army has moved into Nagaon, Dhubri, Hailakandi, Silchar, Caichar, Goalpara and Marigaon districts of Assam where curfew is continuing.
The situation in Maharashtra deteriorated with 20 more deaths reported Wednesday taking the toll to 150. More than 100 persons were killed in Bombay alone where violence in Dharavi- Asia’s largest slum – Deonar and Saki Naka claimed 20 lives late Tuesday night.
Sporadic incidents of stoning and Setting ablaze vehicles were re- Ported from Thane, Raigad, Aurangabad and Kalyan.
Security has been beefed up to deal with a countrywide strike called by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Wednesday. All public transport in Bombay is off the Toads and educational institutions closed.
The toll in the violence in different parts of Gujarat rose to 128 with 10 more deaths in Surat Wednesday morning.
The toll in Surat, the worst-affected in the state has gone up to 63.
Ahmedabad accounted for 39 lives in police firing and arson during the last three days.
The army was deployed late.
Tuesday night in Keralas Kasaragod district following large scale arson looting and attack on places of worship.
The army has also been asked to stand-by in Malappuram and Kozhikode districts.
Three country-made bombs were hurled at the All India Radio Station building midnight Tuesday night at Kozhikode
Sporadic incidents of arson and stone pelting continued in the trouble-tom areas of Kamataka for the third consecutive day Wednesday.
Looters brick batted in Mysore Mangalore and Bangalore Wednesday morning while there was fresh violence in the northern districts of Gulbarga and Bidar where an uneasy calm prevailed. Life is limping back to normal in Calcutta where curfew was relaxed for nine hours Wednesday. Curfew remains in Metiabruz and garden reach areas and several areas in Malda district.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 18, 1992
