In Uttar Pradesh, two persons were today killed and more than 12 others injured as violent clashes broke out between two communities over a land dispute in Saharanpur district. Mobs indulged in brick batting and arson, prompting authorities to clamp curfew.

Saharanpur Commissioner Tanveer Zafar Ali said traders' leader Harish Kochar and an unidentified person have been killed in the clashes. A policeman has sustained bullet injury and he has been admitted to hospital in a serious condition.

Earlier police used force and fired rubber bullets to control the situation as mobs went on a rampage setting ablaze a number of shops.The Commissioner said that prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC have been imposed in the district and curfew has been clamped in six areas.A large contingent of security personnel including police, Provincial Armed Constabulary and Rapid Action Force has been deployed in the area and paramilitary forces have also been called.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Mukul Goel said as per the information received the trouble started when members of one community started construction work at a site in Kutubsher area in the wee hours this morning, which was objected to by the other group.

Both the sides indulged in heavy brick batting, arson and opened fire and there were reports of several shops being gutted in the clash.

Reacting to Saharanpur violence, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi appealed to the people to remain calm and refrain from fanning communal passions.

Gandhi said the politics of hatred must end as violence, divisiveness and hatred have no place in the country.