Saharanpur violence: Eid prayers pass off peacefully, curfew relaxed

Eid prayers today passed off peacefully in this violence-hit city where district authorities relaxed curfew to allow the devout to congregate even as security forces kept a tight vigil on trouble-mongers.

Curfew was relaxed from 7 AM to 11 AM in the old town areas, Saharanpur District Magistrate Sandhya Tiwari said, adding that it was being done for four hours from 3 PM in the new city.

No untoward incident was reported during the curfew relaxation period and all efforts were being made to restore normalcy, she said.

A large number of people gathered at the Idgah area and mosques in the city to offer prayers but many of them said they could not make preparations for Eid because of the law and order situation.

A total of 22 FIRs have been registered and 76 people have been arrested so far in connection with Saturday's violence, Tiwari said, adding minor incidents were reported yesterday and the situation was improving. Curfew had been relaxed yesterday to allow people to get their daily needs from the markets.

The District Magistrate said security forces were maintaining a tight vigil on trouble-mongers to prevent any violence.

Curfew was clamped on Saturday in the wake of clashes between two communities over a land dispute in which three persons were killed and 34 injured. 165 shops and handcarts and 42 vehicles were set ablaze in the violence, Tiwari said.

In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had said yesterday those behind the violent incidents would not be spared and stern action would be taken against them.

Asked about the plot of land over which clashes erupted, Yadav had said the matter is sub judice and action would be taken accordingly.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh had briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday on the situation in the Uttar Pradesh district.

The Home Ministry has sent 600 paramilitary personnel to assist the state administration in maintaining law and order situation there.