Telangana turmoil: Curfew relaxed in Vizianagaram town for two hours

VISAKHAPATNAM: Curfew in violence-hit Vizianagaram town in the district was relaxed for two hours this morning to facilitate people to purchase essential commodities as the situation is fast returning to normal.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Vizag) P Umapathi told PTI here today that curfew was eased for two hours between 7 AM and 9 AM.

The authorities took the decision to lift the curfew for two hours as people were of the view that the duration of one hour was not enough to buy essential commodities, he said.

"The situation is now completely under control. No fresh incidents of violence have been reported since the last two days in Vizianagaram," Umapathi said.

Police and paramilitary forces, including the members of the Rapid Action Force continuing to patrol the trouble torn city.

So far 207 persons have been taken into custody for allegedly indulging in violence. Some are likely to be arrested. A special team has been formed to nab the people indulged in violence, police sources said.

District Superintendent of Police, Vizianagaram Kartikeya said that a special team with DSP rank officers has been formed to identify few other culprits, who torched various properties, including those owned by APCC president Botsa Satyanarayana and his family members.

"Though the situation is under control now, we will continue to keep a vigil for a couple of more days before completely lifting the curfew. Action will be initiated against those indulged in the violent activities," Kartikeya said.

Vizianagaram has been roiling since the Union Cabinet's October 3 decision to carve out a separate state of Telangana out of Andhra Pradesh.

Curfew was clamped in Vizianagaram town on Saturday night in the wake of large-scale violence by anti-bifurcation agitators.