Lucknow, Aug 10 (IANS) Curfew prevailed in parts of Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad city Wednesday after a communal clash involving Kanwariya pilgrims left 13 people injured, police said.


Violence broke out in Dasarai locality late Tuesday following heated arguments between some Hindu Kanwariya pilgrims and Muslims. Two policemen were among the injured.

"While a section of Kanwariyas (Lord Shiva devotees) wanted to take out their procession from an undeclared route, members of the minority community were strictly against it. The Kanwariyas resorted to arson and vandalism," said a police officer.

Members from both communities resorted to large-scale violence and fought pitched battles with police. A police outpost in Aslatpur area and several vehicles were set on fire by the two warring groups.

"Curfew has been imposed in various areas under six police stations. The situation is still tense, but well under control," District Magistrate Sameer Verma told IANS on telephone from Moradabad, some 250 km from Lucknow.

"Provincial Armed Constabulary, Rapid Action Force have been deployed along with police in parts of Bareilly to avert any untoward incident," he added.

Another dispute had taken place Saturday between the groups, said police.