Curfew relaxed for six hours in violence-hit Saharanpur

Saharanpur, July 31: Curfew was today relaxed for six hours in the violence-hit district where a peace march was taken out by people belonging to different communities.

"Curfew has been relaxed from 10 AM to 4 PM today," Saharanpur District Magistrate Sandhya Tiwari said. Despite the relaxation of the curfew, the shopkeepers did not open their shops. According to traders, they have incurred loss due to the curfew and have decided to remain shut today as a mark of protest.

Meanwhile, a 'peace march' was organised by the municipal corporation in which people belonging to all religions came together and spoke about unity and brotherhood. The District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kumar Pandey and other administration officials were also present on the occasion. Tiwari appealed to the public not to believe in any rumours.

After relaxation of the curfew, banks and factories reopened. Heavy police has been deployed across the city and security has been beefed up. Six persons, including the alleged main conspirator, were arrested yesterday in connection with the communal riots here.

Moharram Ali Pappu, a former councillor, was arrested along with six others-- Mohammed Irshad, Danish, Mohammed Abid, Mohammed Sahid and Haji Mohammed Irfan, SSP Rajesh Kumar Pandey had said.

Curfew was clamped on Saturday in the wake of clashes between two communities over a land dispute in which three persons were killed and 34 injured. 165 shops and handcarts and 42 vehicles were set ablaze in the violence.

PTI