Violence-affected Bareilly back to normal

Bareilly, April 5 (ANI): Even as Bareilly witnessed communal clashes recently, the spirit of communal harmony still exists at large. It was witnessed here on Sunday during the annual Jashan-E-Chirag event that attracted people of all religions from far off places.

Thousands of devotees irrespective of their personal religious faith converged at the shrine of Khan Khaye Niyaziya on Sunday (April 04) for the religious occasion to light earthen lamps.

"Every year the lamps are lighted. All come here to fulfill their wishes. Those, whose wishes get fulfilled here they light the lamps every year. People have full faith in this place...not only Muslims but people from every religion gather at this place, " said Heena, one of the devotees.

"When I came here for the first time, I experienced a sense of peace here. Therefore I visit this shrine every year," said Anita Rathore, a Hindu devotee.

Tension erupted in Bareilly on March 11 after members of a community indulged in violence following the release of a Muslim cleric, Maulana Khan who was arrested in connection with communal clashes.

Soon after, crowds defied curfew and went on a rampage in nearly one dozen localities of the city.

So far, nearly 400 people have been arrested for their alleged role in the communal violence in Bareilly. By Shiv Sharma(ANI)