Lucknow, Jan 18 (IANS): Senior BJP leader Vinay Katiyar was detained in Kanpur on Monday while heading towards Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur town where communal violence broke out last week.

Officials said Katiyar has been put under preventive detention and taken to the Kanpur circuit house as the district administration felt his visit to the violence-hit town could foment trouble.

Sharply reacting to his detention, the Rajya Sabha member accused the Samajwadi Party (SP) government of Uttar Pradesh of trying to muzzle democracy. 

"The SP and BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) have joined hands to create an atmosphere of fear in the state by triggering communal violence," Katiyar said while seeking immediate action against district officials whose delayed action led to violence in Fatehpur.

Violence broke out in the town on Makar Sankranti on January 14, marking heavy stone pelting and gutting of shops.

While many people have been arrested so far, tension still prevails. 

The BJP leader's supporters have begun to protest after news of his detention in Kanpur spread, and heavy security has been put in place to avoid any untoward incident.