Lucknow, Dec 21 : Tension gripped Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district Monday as hundreds of Sikhs carried out violent protests over desecration of their holy scripture, police said.

Agitated over the burning of the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhs went berserk in the Fakarpur area in Bahraich, some 270 km from Lucknow, damaging public property, targeting vehicles and clashing with police.

"Taking into account the violent protests, additional security has been deployed in Fakarpur and its adjoining areas," Police Inspector Brijendra Singh told reporters in Bahraich.

"The situation is tense but under control. We have already arrested three people, who have been charged with burning the holy book. Efforts are on to nab others, who were involved," he added.

According to police, a group of locals of the same village, who were having a land dispute with members of the Sikh community, burnt pages of the holy scripture outside a Sikh shrine Sunday night. The desecration was noticed by community members Monday morning.

As the news of desecration spread, hundred of Sikhs converged at Fakarpur, demanding arrest of those involved in the incident.(IANS)