Army to stage flag march in Vadodara, no fresh violence reported

Vadodara, May 3 (UNI) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi requested the Centre for an immediate Flag march by the army in the riot-hit areas of the city, even as no fresh violence was reported since 1400 hrs.

According to top official sources, a detailed operational plan was being worked out for deployment of Army in vulnerable areas tonight to contain the violence.

Mr Modi, who made his first visit to the affected areas today since the violence broke out on Monday morning, claimed the situation was under control as no major incident of violence had occurred since last night.

Stating that the Centre had agreed to his request for flag march by the Army in the city, the Chief Minister said Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil had assured him to provide more Central para-military forces for Vadodara as 24 companies of Gujarat State Reserve Police (SRP) forces were sent to Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal on assembly elections duty.

Police Commissioner Deepak Swaroop told UNI there would be no relaxation in curfew today. Any decision regarding relaxation in curfew tomorrow would, however, be taken after a thorough review of the situation tonight with senior officials and members of the peace committee.

Following the last night's ''unprecedented'' violence and arson in the Panigate area where one person was burnt alive in his car by a 2000-strong mob, the decision to relax the curfew in all six police station areas today was immediately withdrawn.

Fresh incidents of stone pelting, clashes and riotings were reported today from Bauchawada, Bavamanpura, Raopura and Navapura areas till Mr Modi arrived there for the first time to take stock of the situation with top officials and state Home minister Amit Shah, who had rushed to the city in the early hours today to review the law and order situation.

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