Violence in Gorakhpur!

I'm planning to go to Gorakhpur in about 3 weeks. I just read the following news (posted below.)
Does anyone over there know exactly HOW dangerous it is for a group of Americans to go there?
And as for booking a hotel, what city/town is a better option? Does anyone have any specific hotel suggestions?

Thanks so much!!!
Heavy Metta

Violence hits parts of Eastern UP, curfew in Gorakhpur area

Gorakhpur (UP), Jan 29. (PTI): Protesters today indulged in rampant violence torching several vehicles and attempting to set a train on fire prompting clamping of curfew in some areas here as tension gripped parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh after a local BJP MP's arrest.

Following the violence, Gorakhpur's District Magistrate Hari Om and SSP Raja Srivastava were suspended. Special Secretary (Home) Rakesh Goyal was appointed the new DM while SP (STF) S K Bhagat took charge from Srivastava, official sources in Lucknow said.

Agitators burnt down a roadways bus and several other vehicles and tried to set a train on fire leading to clamping of curfew in Gorakhnagar police circle here following arrest of Yogi Adityanath last night.

Attempts were made to ransack the District magistrate's office, while some shops were damaged in the midst of a bandh call given by supporters of the MP in Gorakhpur and Basti divisions.

Educational institutions and markets remained closed while traffic remain thin on the streets.

Three other police officers -- SP City, Rambachan Yadav, Circle Officer D M Dwivedi and Station House Officer Ramjeet Chowdhury were also suspended for their alleged failure to control the situation.

I tell ya those UP'ers are a bunch of rowdies - if they're not bashing each other with chairs in their parliment - then they're trashing public transportstion vehicles or threatening people and causing chaos. Hopefully things will cool down soon for you ..... if not maybe you can sneak into town through the back door in a tonga or something ....

All be known the suspended MP probably paid some local goons to carry out the demonstration.

So this is a "normal" thing in that area or I just have very bad timing?

I don't know about that specific area ... but UP is a notorious state for that type of crap. You just have to realize that it is not very common and they are not looking to hurt foreigners per se ...but be aware, informed, & keep your heads up.

In 3 weeks things should have quietened down for sure. As usual, there is politics behind this violence, too, specially with state elections approaching.

I would suggest make your plan but keep an eye on things. It should be ok.

Well the situation right now is really bad as some of my acquaintances in gorakhpur told me so you should keep a tab on what the situation is after 3 weeks,moreover the problem is politico-communal so it is going to be messy.

Thanks folks!

I think we'll either stay the night in Kushinagar or Lucknow instead...assuming they're safer!!

I INDIAMIKE.COM

my head is still swimming from that one, but:http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/01/stor...0109280500.htm

curfew has been called of and all shall be well by the time u reach there one of my worker is from there and he recvd a call confirming all is settled for the time being

Bahut accha! Thanks so much for letting me know this!

Yes, there has been trouble in the past also and gorakhpur i do agree has very bad reputation..I had been to gorakhpur in the past, and i must tell you i liked the place .. vist goraknath mandir and gita press..