Five companies of PAC and as many of RAF and police have been deployed in the troubled areas, sources said. Five companies of PAC and as many of RAF and police have been deployed in the troubled areas, sources said.

At least 11 people, including a TV journalist , were killed and 34 injured on Saturday in fresh clashes between members of two communities in Muzaffarnagar district of north Indian state Uttar Pradesh, where indefinite curfew was clamped to quell the violence.Tensions simmering since three persons were killed in Kawal village on August 27, Saturday erupted in clashes in several parts of the district.IBN7 part-time correspondent Rajesh Verma and a photographer hired by police, Israr, were among those killed in the violence.Officials in Lucknow said that eleven persons were killed and curfew has been clamped in Civil lines, Kotwali and Nai Mandi of Muzaffarnagar city. Officials in the district said that at least 34 people were injured.The photographer was beaten to death in Sekeda village by a group of people returning from the meeting, police sources said.Saturday's incidents occurred as a meeting was being held in Naglabadhod in defiance of prohibitory orders to demand withdrawal of cases registered in connection with August 27 violence in Kanwal.ADG (Law and Order) Arun Kumar said in Lucknow that senior police officers including the IG law and order and IGs of Meerut and Saharanpur were camping in the area.Five companies of PAC and as many of RAF and police have been deployed in the troubled areas, sources said.Meanwhile, crime branch Saturday arrested ex-Jansath block head, Virender Singh, for an alleged provocative speech during the last meeting on August 31.Singh is cousin of Shashank Shekhar Singh, who was former Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Secretary in the previous Mayawati government in the state.According to DSP JR Joshi, the ex-block head was arrested for allegedly participating in an "unauthorised meeting" while prohibitory orders were in force in the area.Five persons were injured when members of two communities pelted stones at each other in Basiakla village, while in Ilmanspur village, a mob set afire a vehicle.DGP Deo Raj Nagar said the government has formed a Special Task Force to investigate the Kawal incident."Some elements are trying to create communal tension in the region. The STF will be helpful to normalise the situation. No one would be allowed to breach peace in the area," he said.

Ex-gratia of Rs 15 lakh to kin of deceased scribe



The Uttar Pradesh Government today announced an ex-gratia of Rs 15 lakh to the kin of the TV journalist and Rs 10 lakh to the family of others who were killed in clashes between members of two communities in Muzaffarnagar.



Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had earlier announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the journalist's family and Rs five lakh each to the kin of five others killed in the clashes.



The seriously injured in the incident will be paid Rs 50,000 each while those who received minor injuries will get Rs 20,000, officials said.



IBN7 channel's part-time correspondent Rajesh Verma



and five others were killed as fresh clashes between members of two communities erupted in Muzaffarnagar, after which indefinite curfew was clamped and the army deployed to help maintain law and order.



Tension running high since three persons were killed in Kawal village on August 27 today flared up in clashes in several parts of the district.



Akhilesh appeals for calm

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said that senior officials, both in Muzaffarnagar and Lucknow, are working to restore peace and are keeping a vigil on the situation there. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said that senior officials, both in Muzaffarnagar and Lucknow, are working to restore peace and are keeping a vigil on the situation there.

In the wake of communal violence in Muzaffarnagar, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday warned people against rumours mongers and said those behind the clashes will not be spared, while opposition attacked the state government in unison for not taking pre-emptive steps."People should not pay attention to the rumours and exercise restriant....whosoever has done this will not be allowed to go scot free," Yadav said on violence in Muzaffarnagar district in which six persons have lost their lives."It will be my appeal that peaceful atmosphere should prevail," he said.The chief minister said that senior officials, both in Muzaffarnagar and Lucknow, are working to restore peace and are keeping a vigil on the situation there.Meanwhile, BJP and Congress have condemned the violence and termed it as an "example of government's failure"."Uttar Pradesh government is responsible for the incident in Muzaffarnagar today as no pre-emptive measures were taken despite tension prevailing there since the past 15 days," state unit president of BJP, Laxmi Kant Bajpai said.Terming "one sided" action of the district administration as the cause of today's violence, Bajpai demanded the suspension of Muzaffaragar's District Magistrate and SSP.UPCC spokesman Zeeshan Haider demanded a through probe and stern action against those found responsible for it.Meanwhile, state's Urban Development and Minority Welfare Minister Azam Khan today warned those "trying to harm the atmosphere of the state" in the name of caste and community.In a statement, Khan said that government will ensure stern action against those involved in such acts.He also appealed to the people to exercise restraint and not get influenced by the trouble makers.

- With inputs from PTI

