Saharanpur situation fully under control: Home Minister

SAHARANPUR/NEW DELHI: Curfew was today relaxed for four hours in violence-hit Saharanpur to allow people to get their daily needs even as district authorities struggled hard to contain trouble-mongers.

As the situation has shown improvement, curfew was being relaxed from 10 AM to 2 PM in the new city and from 3 PM to 7 PM in the old town areas, Saharanpur District Magistrate Sandhya Tiwari said.

"This is being done to allow people to pick up their items of daily need from the markets," she told reporters.

Tiwari said security forces have been asked to maintain a tight vigil during the curfew relaxation hours and keep a close watch on trouble-mongers to prevent any untoward incident.

Curfew and shoot-at-sight orders had remained in force on Sunday in the wake of clashes between two communities over a land dispute with some indulging in arson. Three persons were killed in the violence on Saturday that also left 33 injured. 22 shops were gutted or damaged and 15 four-wheelers torched in the incidents, according to Tiwari.

In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said those behind the violent incidents in Saharanpur would not be spared and stern action would be taken against them.

During a meeting with Punjab Assembly Speaker Charanjeet Singh Atwal, Yadav said the state government was committed to provide justice and security to all residents.

When asked about the plot of land for which clashes erupted in Saharanpur, the Chief Minister said the matter is sub judice and action would be taken accordingly.

Adequate compensation would be given to those affected from the incidents, he said.

In Delhi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the situation in Saharanpur was "fully under control".

"Saharanpur situation is fully under control. We are keeping a close vigil," he said.

Singh's comments came a day after he briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the situation in the Uttar Pradesh district.

The Home Ministry has already sent 600 paramilitary personnel to assist the state administration in maintaining law and order situation there.

Singh had on Saturday spoken to the Chief Minister and asked him to take all possible steps to maintain peace and harmony.

Three persons were killed in the violence on Saturday that also left 33 injured. 38 people have been arrested.