55 people released after court order

Gorakhpur, Feb 7 (UNI) A total of 55 people, including an MLA, who were arrested over apprehension of peace disturbance in this eastern Uttar Pradesh district, were released today.

According to jail sources, 55 people, including MLA (City) Dr Radha Mohandas Agarwal and former UP minister Shiv Pratap Shukla, were released as no cases were pending against them.

Gorakhpur District Court had yesterday overruled the judgement of Additional District Magistrate, whereby he had ordered arrest of 70 persons, including local BJP MP Yogi Adityanath.

However, the hearing of cases lodged against the BJP MP and others at various police stations would continue today.

With the situation fast returning to normalcy, curfew was relaxed for 9 hrs today.

District Magistrate Rakesh Kumar Goyal said the curfew would be lifted tomorrow, if the normalcy continues.

All secondary level schools, which were closed after the communal disturbance on January 26, will open from tommorow.

Curfew in Kotwali, Tiwaripur and Rajghat areas was imposed after a communal clash on the night of January 26. Besides, section 144 (prohibitory orders) was imposed in other police station areas.

On January 29, curfew was also clamped in Gorakhnath police station area amid violent protests following the arrest of BJP MP Yogi Aditya Nath. Shoot-at-sight orders were issued against curfew violators. So far, over 500 persons have been booked.

Miscreants had opened fire at a 'baraat' procession on January 26, in which over 24 people were wounded in Ismailpur under Kotwali police station area.

Some people, trying to escape the shootout, entered a Moharram procession nearby, leading to a clash between the two groups. The situation turned tense after a wounded Raj Kumar Agrahari died at Gorakhpur Medical College.

UNI