Simmering violence in Muzaffarnagar has claimed more lives, taking the death toll to 26 even as 200 persons were arrested and FIRs registered against four BJP MLAs and a former Congress MP today.
Curfew remained in force in violence-hit areas of the district.
“The death toll in the violence has reached 26, while 45 injured persons are undergoing treatment in various hospitals,” Secretary, Home, Kamal Saxena, told PTI in Lucknow.
Over 200 persons have been arrested in connection with the violence, he said, adding the situation in the district was under control.
FIRs have been registered against BJP legislative party leader Hukum Singh, MLAs Suresh Rana, Bhartendu, Sangeet Som and former Congress MP Harendra Malik for violating prohibitory orders, police said.
“As it (violence) is going on in several villages, it is taking time to defuse the situation,” Additional Director General of Police Arun Kumar had said.
Curfew remained in force in Civil Lines, Kotwali and Nai Mandi town areas of the district.
Apart from Muzaffarnagar, the Army has been deployed in Meerut and Shamli districts.
The Army yesterday staged a flag march in the troubled district and surrounding areas and thousands of anti-riot police personnel have been deployed to restore law and order.
Officials said apart from the Army, 10,000 Provincial Armed Constabulary personnel, 1,300 CRPF men and 1,200 Rapid Action Force personnel have been deployed.