Curfew on for 12th day in AP Town, NCM team visits

Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh, Oct 21 (UNI) The curfew, clamped in the wake of communal clashes during an immersion procession on October 10 in Bhainsa Town of the district, continued for the 12th day today, with relaxation of a few hours during the day, even as a team of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) visited both Bhainsa Town and Vottoli.

The curfew was relaxed from 0800 hrs to 1700 hrs to enable people to purchase essential commodities.

The situation was totally under control and there were no reports of fresh violence during the relaxation period, according to police.

The authorities would lift the curfew in a few days, depending on the situation, police said.

Two units of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), besides local police, were present in strength in the narrow lanes and bylanes to maintain peace in the riot-torn town, police said.

Meanwhile, the fact finding team of the NCM, led by its members, Prof Zoya Hasan and Dileep Padgaonkar, visited the scene of the incident at Vottoli, where six members of a Muslim family were burnt alive on October 12, and ascertained the facts.

Later, the team visited Bhainsa Town. The team would conduct an inquiry at Nirmal Town and submit the report to the government in a week.

Earlier, the team held discussions with Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

Three people were killed and 15 injured, when violence broke out at Bhainsa Town in this district during an immersion ceremony.

Six people, including three children, were burnt alive on October 12 at their residence in Vottoli.

The State Government had announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for those providing information about the culprits responsible for the violence. Police had earlier arrested 129 people in this connection.

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