Curfew imposed in parts of Varanasi over Ganesha idol immersion

The district authorities imposed a curfew in four areas here on Monday in the wake of protests over Ganesha idol immersion.

The curfew has been imposed in Kotwali, Dashashwamedh, Chowk and Luxa areas after violent protests over the issue.

Earlier, the police had resorted to lathi charge to disperse the protesters, who had set several vehicles on fire.

Last month, the police had baton-charged some pilgrims when they were trying to immerse Ganesha idols in the Ganga.

The Allahabad High Court in 2013 had ordered a complete ban on the immersion of idols in the Ganga and Yamuna to keep a check on increasing pollution in the rivers.

However, the court had relaxed the norms on insistence of the district authorities, who maintained that a change in immersion route could lead to law and order unrest.