Death toll in communal clashes in northern India rises to 30

Some 30 people have died and more than 40 others injured since Saturday in communal clashes between members of two communities in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, a senior police official said Sunday. "The death toll in the communal clashes in the state's Muzaffarnagar district has risen to 30. We are trying to maintain peace in the area even though fake videos about the clashes are being circulated via social media sites to disturb the communal harmony in the state," he said on condition of anonymity. A journalist of a private news channel was also killed in the clashes while shooting the unrest, the official said. In fact, the violent clashes started in Muzaffarnagar following the murder of a person of a particular community whose members lynched two members of another community in retaliation some days back. "Curfew has been imposed on the area and a contingent of Indian Army deployed as sporadic clashes are reportedly taking place even in nearby villages where the unrest spread," the official added. State Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has called the incidents of violence "sad and unfortunate" and vowed to take strict actions against those found guilty. "We have given order to take strict actions if required. Curfew has also been imposed in certain places. I appeal to the people to maintain peace and do not believe in rumors. Actions will be taken against those who try to disturb the peace and order," Yadav said. The chief minister has also announced a compensation of 2 lakh rupees (4,000 U.S. dollars) each to the families of all those killed and 50,000 rupees (1,000 U.S. dollars) to each of those seriously injured.