Woman killed in communal clash in Kanpur; 5 cops suspended

A 50-year-old woman, who was injured in a clash between members of two communities in Ghatampur area here yesterday, succumbed to her injuries today.
The deceased, whose house was set on fire by irate mobs, had received 70 cent burns and died in Ursula hospital here, police said.
A battery shop owner had also succumbed to burn injuries after his shop was gutted last evening, they said.
With this, death toll of the communal clash has reached to two while four others are undergoing treatment.
Meanwhile, five policemen including Chowki incharge of Bheetar village R P Singh, have been suspended for dereliction of their duties, SSP, Kanpur, K Emanuel said.

According to police, situation in Bheetar village is limping back to normalcy. Shops in the market have started opening and children have also started going to school, they said.

However, there is still a posse of policemen deployed in the area keeping a hawk's eye on the troublemakers.
So far, 11 people have been arrested and search for around a dozen people is on. Police said the accused will be charged under the National Security Act (NSA).
The communal violence was apparently a fallout of a rumour that two minor boys belonging to a community were beaten to death after they were caught stealing from a house in Bheetar village, DM Roshan Jacob said.

The two boys were allegedly caught stealing from a house in the village three days back, following which they were beaten up and later handed over to the police. The detained boys were released yesterday after the village head approached the police, Jacob said.
However, as the false information of the death of the boys spread, an irate mob yesterday attacked and pelted stones on the members of a particular community and set ablaze their houses and shops leaving six persons including a woman seriously injured.
Jacob has announced Rs 2 lakh ex gratia payment for the family of the deceased and has written to UP government to provide another Rs 5 lakh to them.

The DM also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 to seriously injured persons, and those who have sustained minor injuries will be given Rs 25,000. Those persons whose houses and shops were gutted will also be provided adequate compensation, Jacob said.
SSP (Rural) Anil Mitra said several policemen were also injured in stone-pelting by mobs and they are undergoing treatment in Ursula hospital. The two minor boys have been also been admitted to the hospital.
All rumour-mongers have been identified, police said, adding, they will be arrested soon.