Bahraich, Apr 9: A major fire in the compound of famous dargah of Syed Salar Masood Ghazi here on Monday gutted nearly 80 shops and sparked protests by locals who went on a rampage accusing the administration of responding late to the situation.
No loss of life or injury to anyone was reported in the fire which was caused by explosion of an LPG cylinder, police said.
Four policemen, including the Circle Officer (City) and the in-charge of Dargah Sharief Police Station, were injured in the mob attack, they said.
Alleged delay in the arrival of fire tenders triggered protests by the locals who vent their ire on policemen hurling brickbats at them.
Three police vehicles were also damaged in the violence.
The fire, which erupted in the afternoon, was doused in the evening, police said adding some 80 temporary shops inside the dargah compound were gutted.
Local MP Kamal Kishore, who rushed to the scene, and media personnel, too, were targeted by the locals, police said.
District Magistrate Kinjal Singh said a Magisterial probe had been ordered into the fire and subsequent violence while Revenue Department's officials were evaluating the losses.
All shopowners who had suffered losses had been given financial relief of Rs 3,000 each, she said.
The Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav spoke to district officials on telephone and took stock of the situation.
The state government had been requested to provide more fire tenders to the district which, at present, had only two, the DM said.
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