The Prime Minister has said perpetrators of group-clashes in Muzaffarnagar District of Uttar Pradesh will be given strict punishment. Talking to reporters after visiting clashes-affected Bassi Kalan, Taawli and Barvala areas of the district, Dr Manmohan Singh said, Centre will extend all help to Uttar Pradesh government so that those displaced due to clashes could return to their homes.

Accompanied by Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Dr Singh also interacted with a number of affected people.

The Prime Minister had earlier condemned the violence and expressed deep anguish for the loss of life. He also sanctioned 2 lakh rupees each for the next of kin of those killed and 50 thousand each for the seriously injured from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.

Meanwhile, the situation in the violence affected areas are returning to normal. The curfew relaxation in the city areas of Muzaffarnagar continued for the seventh day today. While day curfew has been lifted, it will continue during the night. People are out of their houses performing routine work during the curfew relaxation period. Schools and colleges reopened today after a week.

IG Law and Order RK Vishwakarma told our Lucknow correspondent that 188 persons have been arrested in connection with the 66 cases filed. 11,000 preventive arrests have also been made.