LUCKNOW, Oct 17: Seven people have died and 28 have been injured in four days of communal clashes in Uttar Pradesh. The clashes started on Friday night in Mau district, 300kms southeast of state capital Lucknow, when members of one community objected to a religious ceremony by the other in its area.

“Shoot-at-sight orders have been issued and red alert has been issued in eastern Uttar Pradesh. There is a fear that the riots could spread to the rural areas,” said Mulayam Singh Yadav, the chief minister of the state.

Police and intelligence units were on alert to prevent the spread of violence.

The Press Trust of India news agency reported that 36 people had been injured and 252 arrested.—AFP