Bhusawal is calm but curfew continues

Jalgaon, Maharashtra, Dec 5 (UNI) Curfew in nearby Bhusawal town, clamped last night following largescale violence, was reimposed this morning after a two-hour relaxation which passed off peacefully.

People emerged during the relaxation period from 0600 hrs to make essential purchases.

Although no untoward incident occured in the town overnight and during the relaxation today, curfew was, however, reimposed as a precatuion, district Collector Vijay Singhal said today.

Meanwhile, inspector incharge of Bazarpeth police station at Bhusawal was transferred for dereliction of duty, police sources said, adding he has been posted at Jalgaon police control, pending inquiry against him. People alleged he did not try to prevent mob from indulging in violence.

The town was rocked by violence yesterday when outgoing Municipal Council president Rekha Choudhary, wife of NCP MLA Santosh Choudhary from Bhusawal, convened the Council's meeting, saying she could not hold it earlier because the Model Code of conduct for elections to 167 civic bodies and two nagar panchayats held in Maharashtra on November 19 had come into force.

The group led by her, however, lost the elections. 'Save Bhusawal Front', said to have been floated jointly by NCP's Jalgaon MLA Suresh Jain and BJP MLA Eknath Khadse, won the polls, bagging 28 seats in the 47-member House.

When the Front's members opposed the meeting, saying she could not convene it after having lost the election, members supporting Ms Choudhary allegedly started beating the Front's members, wounding 13 of them.

Angry over the beating of Council's members, their supporters went on a rampage in the town and burnt down a hotel and residence of Nationalist Congress Party MLA Santosh Choudhary.

The mob also set afire Sai dairy, Hotel Rangoli and Hotel Ashoka in the town. Several vehicles were also vandalised by the mob and at least one was set ablaze, police said.

At least 20 people were wounded in scuffles with police.

Jalgaon Civil Hospital Civil Surgeon A C Patil said 14 people are still undergoing treatment and others were discharged after first aid.

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