Gorakhpur: Shoot-at-sight orders have been issued in the violence-torn Pharenda town of neighbouring Maharajganj district in Uttar Pradesh (UP) even as curfew clamped after killing of three persons in police firing on December 20 remained in force for the second day on December 21.

The district administration issued shoot-at-sight orders in the Pharenda town, following violence on December 20 after a mob indulged in heavy brick batting and arson during the cremation of student union leader Santosh Kumar Jaiswal.

Meanwhile, official sources said 26 people have so far been arrested in connection with the incidents and additional force has been deployed in the area.

All schools and colleges in Maharajganj and its neighbouring districts have been closed till further orders.

The officials have, however, denied that those killed in December 20 incidents were students and said they were yet to be identified.

Railway sources said that property worth over Rs 50 lakh was gutted after students set ablaze an engine and four bogies of a passenger train and a case has been registered in this connection.

PTI