Curfew was imposed in Kishanganj town, around 400km northeast of Patna, on Tuesday in the wake of tension prevailing there following violent clashes between two groups of people on Monday.

Though the incident did not witness any casualty but a few people, including security personnel, got injured in the clashes.

The curfew was clamped and prohibitory orders were issued by Kishanganj sub-divisional officer (Sadar) Mahesh Kumar around 1pm on Tuesday after protesters went on the rampage and set on fire at least six vehicles in the town.

The trouble erupted on Monday after rumours spread about forcible possession of a portion of land belonging to a religious trust at Goramara village under Chakla panchayat of the district. The residents came out on the streets and forced the shopkeepers to down their shutters. They also blocked the national highway-31 and paralysed the movement of vehicles.

Kishanganj district magistrate Animesh Kumar Parashar said curfew was clamped in the town for 48 hours as a precautionary measure. “The residents have been asked not to come out of their respective houses during the period,” he told The Telegraph over phone from Kishanganj. He added that additional security forces have been deployed in sensitive pockets of the town and congregation of people at a particular place banned.

Home department principal secretary Amir Subhani said a close watch was being kept on the situation in Kishanganj. “Senior officials are camping at the spot,” he added.

“The residents have been made aware of the prohibitory orders through public address system. Security personnel also staged flag marches in some trouble-torn areas,” superintendent of police Deepak Burnawal said.

The district magistrate clarified that the situation would be assessed after the expiry of the deadline of the curfew.

Additional district magistrate B.K. Mishra said the protesters started around 10pm on Monday but they dispersed after persuasion of the senior officials. However, on Tuesday morning, some people assembled on the main roads of the town and indulged in arson and vandalism. At some places, they attacked the security personnel and pelted them with stones.

A section of protesters paralysed the rail traffic and stopped Danapur-Kamakhya Capital Express. The train was delayed for over three hours at Kishanganj railway station.

Over a dozen policemen received injuries in the stone pelting. The security forces had to retreat as the protesters outnumbered them. Later, the police officers posted at the town police station sought reinforcements from the district headquarters.