Peace returns to violence-hit Andhra Pradesh town; curfew lifted

VISAKHAPATNAM: Curfew was today lifted from adjoining Vizianagaram town, which saw violence early this month during agitation against proposed bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, as normalcy returned there.

The curfew was lifted from the town in the view of improvement in situation and to provide relief to the people, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Visakhapatnam region) P Umapathi told PTI.

The situation in Vizianagaram was totally under control and no untoward incident had been reported for the last ten days, he said.

However, Section 144 of CrPc (banning assembly of a certain number of people and some other restrictions) will remain in force for the time being, Umapathi said.

Curfew was clamped in the coastal Andhra town on October 5 night in the wake of large-scale violence by anti- bifurcation agitators following Union Cabinet's approval to create separate Telangana state out of Andhra Pradesh.

Around 600 people were taken into custody for involvement in violence, police sources said.