Curfew relaxed in Jamshedpur, situation inches back to normal

Jamshedpur, Jul 24: The East Singhbhum district administration on Friday relaxed curfew in Jamshedpur as the situation was peaceful with security forces keeping vigil.

The city witnessed sporadic arson and group clashes over an alleged eve-teasing incident in Mango area on Monday which was followed by a shutdown call by VHP the following day.

The district authorities extended relaxation in curfew between 9 AM to 4 PM in four riot-affected police stations - Mango, Azadnagar, Olidih and MGM - while the relaxation was between 6 AM to 8 PM in rest of the police stations of the steel city.

"We have decided to extend relaxation in all the four affected police stations -Mango, Azadnagar, Olidih and MGM- for seven hours from 9 AM to 4 PM and for 14 hours from 6 AM to 8 PM in rest of the police stations of the city," said Deputy Commissioner Dr. Amitabh Kaushal and Senior Superintendent of Police, Anoop T Mathew.

While all schools and colleges remained closed today in view of the curfew, life inched back to normal during curfew relaxation as shops and markets, offices and banks as well as petrol pumps remained opened while traffic plied normally on road.

Security forces continued to keep vigil in the city including sensitive areas, the SP said.

Meanwhile, Friday Namaz was offered by the members of the minority community peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the district in last two days, said Sub-divisional Officer (Dalbhum), Alok Kumar.

"Our priority remains to net the culprits at large and forward the arrested persons to jail based on the evidences and restore peace," they said.

Around 20 persons have been arrested yesterday, taking the toll to 133 so far, the DC and SP said during the press meet last night adding that eight persons have been forwarded to jail.

PTI