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NEW DELHI-The police imposed a curfew in the northern Indian city of Agra, home to the country’s most popular tourist attraction, the Taj Mahal, after a fatal road accident early Wednesday morning fueled violent clashes on the streets.The curfew, imposed in the early afternoon, meant that the famed monument to love, which sees an average of 8,000 tourists each day, remained off limits for at least half of the day. The police did not say when the curfew would be lifted. They advised tourists not to leave their hotels.The clashes erupted after a truck ran over and killed four young men riding a motorcycle early Wednesday morning, when large numbers of Muslims were out celebrating the festival of Shab-e-Barat, visiting graveyards of their kin and praying for forgiveness. A crowd chased the truck and set it on fire, according to the local police.The crowds swelled. Other vehicles were burned, including a fire truck, and clashes with the police broke out. One person was killed. All told, 25 people, including firemen and policemen, were injured, according to Sita Ram Meena, the state’s most senior government official in charge of Agra.The local authorities suggested that the truck was not supposed to have entered the road where the revelers were gathered. “We will investigate how it happened,” said J. N. Chamber, home secretary of Uttar Pradesh state, where Agra is located.The police said they told tourists staying in the city to avoid going outside, unless escorted by law enforcement officials. “I am telling tourists, ‘If you want to go out please let us know and we will ensure your safety,’ ” said R. K. Sharma, a police inspector.The Taj Mahal was built in 1653 by emperor Shahjahan in the memory of his wife, Mumtaj.As in the days of Noah...
