Curfew relaxed for two hours in Malpura

JAIPUR: Curfew was relaxed in tension-hit areas of Malpura town in Tonk district on Monday amidst heavy security. Police have also arrested 32 persons so far which includes those who attacked the Kanwariyas and others who damaged public property and attacked the police. Ajmer range IGP Biju Geroge Joseph said a relaxation from 11am to 1pm on Sunday was given. The relaxation in the curfew was declared after the police and local administration held several rounds of talks with leaders of both the communities till late Saturday night.Mobile internet services, however, remained blocked.
The relaxation in curfew, which was imposed on Friday morning, came as a much-needed respite for the people who thronged shops to buy essential commodities like milk. Residents were able to celebrate the festival of Raksha Bandhan during the two hours of relaxation of curfew.
A strict vigil, however, continued as simmering tension and probability of further violence have not yet ebbed. A 1,000-strong deployment of Rajasthan police is stationed across multiple locations of Malpura district turning the city into a fortress. Ajmer range IG, accompanied by district collector, SP and other officials visited the tension-hit areas and spoke to residents. Late night parleys are being held to build mutual trust after Thursday’s incident. IG Biju said that all those accused who took law into their hands will not be spared.
Curfew was imposed on Friday morning following fresh incidents of violence, when cops prevented members of right-wing groups from taking out a rally through the tension-hit area. The unruly mob went on a rampage and torched about five shops and damaged a police vehicle too.
Tension had spread in the area after 14 Kanwariyas were injured and taken to hospital after clashes, on Thursday. The stone-pelting began while they were going past a religious place accompanied by a DJ-set, on a truck playing loud music. Some miscreants thrashed Kanwariyas too.