Sikar, Apr 7 (UNI) Two days after the daylight murder of a Jat leader, tension gripped this small district town as rumours of a flare, up did the rounds today.

Shopkeepr's downed their shutters and people huddled indoors as the news of a fight between rival groups broke out.

The town is already in grip of fear after Jat Mahasabha district President Gopal Phogawat was gunned down by unidentified assailants on Wednesday. The murder is supposed to be a fallout of rivalry between two groups of liquor contractors.

District Collector Ashwini Bhagat and Superintendent of Police (SP) L N Meena visited different parts of the town and monitored the law and order situation.

The shops in the main market reopened three hours later after the district administration assured them of full security. Extra police force has been deployed in the town as a condolence meeting for Phogawat is scheduled today.

Meanwhile State Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria today announced in the Vidhan Sabha that a new SP would be appointed in Sikar as the crime rate in the district has increased over the past few days as compared to other districts of the state.

UNI XC CH RN1609