Riot-hit Muzaffarnagar finally calms down, curfew relaxed

Curfew was eased during day time in the riot-hit areas of Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh for the fifth consecutive day on Saturday.

As many as 542 people have been arrested so far in connection with communal violence in the district and surrounding areas that claimed 47 lives.

Curfew had been imposed in Kotwali, Civil Lines and Nai Mandi areas of the district on September 7 following communal violence.

It was relaxed from 7 am this morning till 7 pm, officials said.

Since the outbreak of the riot, 62 cases of rioting have been registered in different police stations and 542 people have been arrested, said Additional Superintendent of Police Alok Piryadarshi.

Nearly 1,800 arm licences had been cancelled in the riot-affected areas.

Meanwhile, two men were today arrested for sending inflammatory text messages in Sikhera village in the district.

In another case, police arrested four people, including the son of a Khap council head, for rioting in Bahawdi village in Fugana, following complaints by some riot victims who had taken shelter in a relief camp at Kaira.