In Uttar Pradesh, the situation in clash hit Saharanpur is still tense but under control. No major untoward incident has been reported since last night. The district administration has decided to relax curfew today. The relaxation will be given in two phases at different times in curfew hit areas. The decision came after a meeting of top civil and police officials held at Saharanpur late last night.
Quoting officials, our correspondent reports that in the first phase, curfew will relaxed for four hours from 10 AM to 2 PM in new city which comprises of Sadar Kotwali, Kutubsher, Janakpuri Nad and some parts of Dehat Kotwali police stations. In the second phase, relaxation will be from 3 PM to 7 PM in the area of old city which comprises of Mandi, Sadar Kotwali and parts of Kutubsher and Dehat kotwali. Administration claims the situation is totally under control.
Talking to media persons last evening, Saharanpur District Magistrate Sandhya Tiwari said that as of now 38 people have been arrested and 9 FIR registered. So far three person have been killed in the clash. Police forces are constantly patrolling and security has been beefed up at 74 places in the violence affected area. Educational institutions will remain close till 30th of this month. AIR correspondent reports that the district administration is trying to normalize situation at the earliest and has appealed people not to go by rumors.
Meanwhile Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has blamed his rivals of playing politics over religion. He said there is no intelligence failure in the unpleasant incident. Union Minister Kalraj Mishra has termed the incident shameful, sponsored and plotted. Congress leader and MLA Reeta Bahuguna Joshi asked for early recovery of peace in Saharanpur. Maulana Abul Kasim Nomani, Vice-Chancellor of Islamic School of Darul Uloom Deoband, Sahranpur has appealed the people for peace.
The violent clash between the two groups broke out on Saturday over construction at a disputed place of religious faith under Kutubsher area police station.
