Thaindian News

Lucknow, Aug 11 (IANS) Curfew enforced in parts of Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad city following a communal clash that left 13 people injured was relaxed for a few hours Thursday, police said.

With no fresh violence reported from any part of the city, the decision to relax the curfew was taken Thursday afternoon.

Curfew was clamped late Tuesday after violence broke out in Dasarai locality following clashes between some Kanwariyas (Lord Shiva’s devotees) and local Muslims.

“In areas coming under Majhola and Kathighar police stations, the curfew was relaxed from 4 p.m.- 6 p.m.,” Superintendent of Police (City) Piyush Srivastava told IANS on phone from Moradabad, some 250 km from Lucknow.

“Likewise, in the areas of Mughalpura, Kotwali and Nagphani the relaxation was from 2 p.m.-5 p.m., while in the areas coming under the jurisdiction of Galshaheed police station, it was from 1 p.m.-3 p.m.” Srivastava said.

Moradabad District Magistrate Sameer Verma told IANS: “Whether the relaxations will continue or not, the decision is taken on a daily basis after taking into account the prevailing situation.”

Members from both communities Tuesday resorted to firing, stone-pelting and fought pitched battles with the police. A police outpost in Aslatpur area and several vehicles were also set on fire.

According to police, around 50 people from both communities have been arrested till now.

According to police, Tuesday’s violence was linked to a dispute between the two groups Saturday.

“On that day (Saturday), Kanwariyas wanted to take out their procession from an undeclared route, while members of the minority community were strictly against it. The Kanwariyas then resorted to arson and vandalism. We believe Tuesday’s communal clash is linked to that incident,” said a police officer, who declined to be identified.