Clashes in Lucknow, Kanpur leave one dead

The clash ensured after locals protesting the arrest of two persons for using loudspeakers during Milad-un-Nabi procession started brickbatting at Armapore Police Station.

The police have arrested seven persons, and though the situation was controlled after deployment of heavy force tension still prevailed in the area.

Samajwadi Party candidate from Kalyanpur constituency, Satish Kumar Nigam, was arrested on charges of rioting, the police said.

Armapore Station Officer Chandrika Prasad was suspended, and District Magistrate Anurag Srivastava has ordered a magisterial inquiry. According to reports, Armapore police arrested Mohammed Arif and Qasir from Sayyid Nagar late on Saturday night for violating model code of conduct. The police claimed the two were playing loudspeakers at 11.30 pm and refused to heed police warnings to switch it off. They were later arrested. On Sunday morning, thousands of locals from Armapore, Maswanpur and adjoining area barged into the police station and demanded the duo8217;s immediate release and suspension of 8220;guilty8221; cops. With the situation becoming tense, police released Arif and Qasir on bail but the protestors still wanted suspension of the SO and constables. Satish Nigam and other local SP leaders soon joined the protestors.