Monday, October 17 2005 11:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mau (UP): Several long distance trains passing through this riot-torn town have either been cancelled or diverted as tension continued to prevail after Thursday's communal clashes in which seven people have been killed and scores others injured.

The trains diverted to other routes included Gorakhpur-Lokmanya Tilak Express, Gorakhpur-Howrah Express, Samastipur-New Delhi Laxmi Express, Lucknow-Chapra Utsarg Express, Muzaffarpur-Delhi Saryu Yamuna Express, North-eastern Railway sources said here.

Several other trains connecting this communally sensitive town with Gorakhpur, Ballia and Varanasi including Mau-Gorakhpur passenger, Shahganj-Mau, Bhatni-Mau have been cancelled, the sources said.

Operation of buses on Gorakhpur-Mau route has also been suspended, official sources said.

Communal clashes broke out in the town on Thursday night over Dussehra celebrations.