Sec 144 lifted for 12 hrs, peace rally organised in Howrah

Howrah, Mar 12 (UNI) The situation at Millbazar area, which witnessed violence on Sunday, gradually returned to normal with prohibitory orders lifted for 12 hours today.

Violent clashes had disrupted life in the area which falls under Panchla police station in this district when trouble erupted following a dispute over gold transaction at a jewellery shop.

Official sources said section 144 CrPC, imposed in the entire Panchla police station area on March 10, was lifted for 12 hours from 0600 hours.

However, the Rapid Action Force and Eastern Frontier Rifles would remain in the area, official sources said.

Police said seven people had been arrested in connection with the violence in which around twenty people were injured and about 50 houses and shops vandalised.

Meanwhile, an all-party peace rally, with state Cooperative Minister Rabindranath Ghosh, Food Processing Minister Mohanta Chatterjee, local MP Shantoshree Chatterjee, local MLA Dolly Roy, MP Hannan Mollah, BJP leader Tathagata Ray, Congress leader Somen Mitra and others, was organised to appeal to the people to maintain peace in the area.

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