Curfew relaxed for 2 hours in riot-hit areas of Muzaffarnagar

Curfew was relaxed from 3:30 pm onwards to allow people to make necessary purchases

After three days, curfew was relaxed today for two hours in violence-hit areas of the district where communal clashes have left 38 people dead.

Curfew relaxation for two hours has been given in three police station areas from 3.30 PM onwards to allow people to make necessary purchases, District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said.

Locals in large numbers, including several women, were seen queueing up outside grocery stores during the relaxation.

The administration had imposed curfew in Kotwali, Civil Lines and Nai Mandi areas here on Saturday following the communal flare up.

The district administration today reviewed the situation and took a decision to relax curfew in view of the improved condition and to help people attend to necessary chores.

The administration had also provided milk and other essential commodities in these areas this morning.

Strict vigil is being maintained during the relaxation period and police and paramilitary forces are on high alert. No one would be allowed to disturb the peace, the DM said.