Situation under control, curfew reimposed as precautionary measure

Solapur, Nov 20 (UNI) The situation in riot-hit Solapur, where Dalit groups went on a rampage to protest the killings of four members of a Dalit family at Khairlanji, was today gradually limping back to normalcy but as a precautionary measure curfew was reimposed this evening after an 18 hour relaxation.

Deputy Commissioner Police (Crime) L R Mohite told UNI here although the situation is under control and no untoward incident was reported in the city since last night, the decision to reimpose curfew was taken to maintain law and order.

The curfew would be in force from 1800 hrs to 0600 hrs tomorrow, Mohite said.

He said that so far 255 people have been arrested in the violence that rocked the city for the last five days, following the protests over the killings of Dalits on September 30.

Strict action would be taken against those involved in the violence and stone-pelting incidents on Saturday, leading to damage of more than 100 vehicles including a State Transport bus, the DCP said.

Guardian Minister Vijaysinh Mohite Patil, who is camping in Solapur, said a committee of intellectuals would be constituted to harmonise relations between various communities and to educate people on the drawbacks of riots and violence that only hamper development activities besides causing loss of property.

UNI DWN GB OBB VD ND1842