Day curfew lifted in Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur, Feb 12 (UNI) With normalcy restored in this riot-torn eastern district of Uttar Pradesh, day curfew has been lifted from here today.

''The district administration has decided to give a relaxation of 16 hours in curfew in all the four police station areas. However, curfew will continue at night as a precautionary measure from 2200 hrs to 0600 hrs,'' Senior Superintendent of Police S K Bhagat told UNI.

Mr Bhagat added that though the situation had turned better in the town, police has been pressed into round the clock service.

''The administration is in no mood to take any risk.'' Inspector General of Police Jagmohan Yadav said ''over 3,000 persons have been booked under different crimes after the communal violence. Over 22 persons, including 16 from Gorakhpur and six from Kushinagar, have been booked under the National Security Act (NSA).'' ''While 2,524 persons were arrested for violating section 151 of the IPC, 10 were booked under the Gangster Act,'' Mr Yadav added.

All educational institutes, except the Gorakhpur University, have been opened from today.

Curfew was clamped in Kotwali, Rajghat and Tiwaripur police station areas on January 27, following a communal flareup at a 'barat' procession on the Republic Day.

Day after, curfew was also imposed in Gorakhnath police station area. Besides, section 144 (prohibitory orders) and shoot at sight orders were also issued against the violators.

UNI