Thaindian News

Lucknow, March 4 (IANS) With the situation in trouble-torn areas of Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district limping back to normal, the curfew imposed Tuesday was relaxed Thursday morning, officials said.
The curfew was clamped in the four police station areas of Kotwali, Kila, Premnagar and Baradari areas, following a communal clash over a procession Tuesday.

“As the situation is getting normal, we today (Thursday) decided to relax curfew for nearly four hours since 6 a.m.,” District Magistrate Ashish Goel told reporters in Bareilly, some 250 km from Lucknow.

Police said over 50 people have been taken into custody and charged with violence and destruction of public property.

“The situation in Bareilly is now well under control. We have intensified security deployment, particularly in sensitive areas and may arrest more people involved in arson and vandalism,” Superintendent of Police (City) Rakesh Jolly told reporters in Bareilly.

Authorities had exempted students, appearing for board exams, from any kind of restriction related to their movement on roads during the curfew hours.

“Police and other officials have been directed not to impose any kind of restriction on movement of students going to appear in the board exams. During curfew, students’ admit cards would serve as passes for them,” the district magistrate said.

Trouble began Tuesday afternoon when the Barawafat procession was on. An exchange of hot words snowballed into a violent clash and some shops were burnt. Police then imposed the curfew.