The violent clashes between two groups in Saharanpur in Uttar pradesh has claimed three lives and left over 20 injured with the area being turned into a virtual fortress. Thirteen companies of the Rapid Action Force, the PAC and CRPF were deployed in the area.

The situation continues to be tense. There have been no fresh incidents of violence.

Curfew under Section 144 was clamped in Saharanpur on Saturday after clashes broke out between two groups in the area over a land dispute. Over two dozen shops and vehicles were gutted in the violence and a dozen people have been arrested.

ADG Mukul Goel said, "Security forces have been called in and curfew is in place."

Sources said the brawl began with a verbal spat over a gurdwara and some construction taking place adjacent to it. "A continuous monitoring of the situation in Saharanpur and Moradabad is being done by senior police and government officials," Principal Secretary (Information) Navneet Sehgal said.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is personally monitoring the situation, has asked the state administration to restore law and order. This even as the ruling Samajwadi Party admitted lapses by the local administration, but continued to insist things are under control.

SP leader Naresh Agarwal said, "I can assure that people are safe in UP and law and order are also in control. Nobody needs to care about the situation of the state."

Saharanpur District Magistrate Sandhya Tiwari said that the situation has been under control. "There were minor incidents of arson. We have enough forces. We will review the curfew situation later in the afternoon and ffter that we will decide how long to continue it."