Communal clash in Rae Bareli, 40 arrested

Those arrested had vandalised several shops, damaged vehicles and resorted to arson and brick-batting against their opponents and police

Around 40 people have been arrested for their involvement in a communal clash that left at least 12 people injured in Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli district, police said on Thursday.

An altercation on Wednesday between boys of two communities playing cricket Wednesday in Rae Bareli's Jais town, some 80 km from Lucknow, snowballed into a clash as adults from both the communities joined in and resorted to arson and vandalism, police said.

Those arrested had vandalised several shops, damaged vehicles and resorted to arson and brick-batting against their opponents and police, they said.

"We have arrested members from both the communities. In the wake of yesterday's (Wednesday) communal violence, we have strengthened security in Jais and adjoining areas," Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Saligram told reporters Thursday in Rae Bareli.