Curfew relaxed in Hazaribagh

The curfew imposed in Hazaribagh town and its surrounding areas on Sunday, following clashes between two groups, was relaxed for two hours today as situation improved.
Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Kumar said the relaxation was given from 2 PM to 4 PM as there was no report of any untoward incident in the past 24 hours.
The administration would assess the situation tomorrow for further relaxation, he said, adding that peace march or peace committee meeting could be considered after curfew was completely lifted.
Besides Hazaribagh town, the curfew is also imposed in areas under Katkumdag and Pelawal police stations.
Raids and search operations were carried out last night during which 18 more persons, including some accused named in the FIRs, were arrested in connection the violence and 15 'petrol bombs' were seized from two localities, Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Kumar Jha said.

A total four FIRs were lodged in Hazaribagh in connection with the violence.
Curfew was clamped in Hazaribagh and its surrounding areas on April 17 after two groups of people clashed, torched shops and pelted stones at policemen injuring many of them on the last day of the Ram Navami festival.
The trouble started when objectionable recorded slogans were played in a Ram Navami procession triggering clash between the two groups near Hazaribagh railway station.