Lucknow calm after sectarian clashes

Lucknow, June 20 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh capital was calm Friday, a day after sectarian clashes followed a prayer meeting over Iraq, authorities said.

A young man who was seriously wounded in the late Thursday violence in Old Lucknow was now out of danger, police said.

A vigil is being maintained in the affected areas, a home department official told IANS.

Both the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed.

The clashes erupted between two groups in Sadatganj when a group protesting against killings of innocent people in Iraq was shouted down by another sect.

The situation worsened in no time, and both sides indulged in heavy stone pelting. Police said blank shots were also fired.

Heavy police reinforcements were rushed to contain the violence.

Police pickets have been set up at Dargah Hazrat Abbas and Ghanta Baig Gadhaiyya where the violence took place.

Security has also been tightened in areas like Muftiganj, Akbari Gate, Pul Gulam Hussain, Qasim Ali ki Puliya and Chowk Ka Bajaja, the official said.