1.
GV Armed police and border security forces out of truck in deserted street in Aligarh.
0.05

2.
LV & CU Locked and bolted shops and deserted streets. (3 SHOTS)
0.15

3.
GV Closed bank, cinema and petrol station. (3 SHOTS)
0.25

4.
LV & CU Near deserted rail station with cycle rickshaws waiting.
0.32

5.
SV Armed police patrolling in single file up street.
0.40

6.
GV Deserted street.
0.45

7.
SV Border security vehicle patrolling empty street. (2 SHOTS)
0.56

8.
GV Border security foot patrol in street.
1.02



Initials JS/



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Five people were killed and another five seriously injured during fighting between Muslims and Hindus in the north Indian city of Aligarh on Wednesday (20 June). It was the second time in less than a week that people had been killed in sectarian fighting there. In an effort to gain control of the situation the authorities have imposed an indefinite curfew on the city's residents.

SYNOPSIS: Situated about 130 kilometres (80 miles) south-east of New Delhi, Aligarh is an industrial centre and university city. Normally its streets are busy, now the curfew keeps everyone off the streets. A 58-hour curfew was in force early last week (18 June), but after it was lifted fighting broke out.

The curfew imposed again has prevented further fighting, but it's also adversely affected business in Aligarh.

The city has been in a state of communal strike since last October when twenty-five people were killed in gun, bomb, and knife clashes between Hindus and Muslims. The Muslims are in the minority and most of those killed on Wednesday (20 June) were Muslim. However they have strong spiritual leadership in Aligarh where there is a large Muslim university. During the latest fighting more than two hundred people were arrested, and police patrols have been increased.