Violence-hit AP city peaceful; curfew lifted for 12 hours

With the situation further improving, authorities today relaxed curfew for 12 hours in trouble-hit Vizianagaram city of Andhra Pradesh.

The curfew has been relaxed from 0600 hours to 1800 in view of improvement in the situation in Vizianagaram and to allow people to buy essential commodities, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Visakhapatnam region) P Umapathi told PTI.

Yesterday, curbs on movement of people were lifted for nine hours and the period passed off peacefully, prompting officials to provide further relief to the people today.

However, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPc (banning assembly of a certain number of people) will continue to remain in force during the relaxation period.

Authorities will decide on lifting the curfew, clamped on October 5, completely after a review meeting with officials concerned, he said.

The situation had been peaceful in the coastal Andhra town in the last five days, Umapathi said.

However, police and paramilitary personnel, including members of the anti-riot Rapid Action Force, continue to patrol the trouble-torn city.

Curfew was clamped in Vizianagaram in the wake of large-scale violence by supporters of united Andhra Pradesh.

In all, 320 people have been taken into custody for the violence.