Curfew was relaxed for two hours at Gairatganj town in Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen district where it was imposed following a communal violence on Monday, police said.

Curfew was first relaxed from 0900 hours to 1100 hours for women for enabling them to purchase daily used items. A few shops were opened during the relaxation period. Police were exercising alertness and the situation was completely under control.  Observing peaceful conditions the relaxation in curfew was extended till 12 noonthat was further extended till 6 p.m. and finally the relaxation in curfew was extended till 8 pm as no untoward incidence was reported in the town, though the administration has decided that the prohibitory orders under section 144 would continue in the town.

Senior administrative officials including Raisen Inspector General of Police (IGP) SK Saxena, Collector JK Jain, SP Dipak Verma, SDM US Maravi, Tehsildar Brajesh Singh and Nayab Tehsildar Pervez Ali and the police is keeping vigil over the situation and are continuously taking rounds of the town. Curfew was clamped in the town after two groups clashed with each other over some issue on Monday and a shop was set on fire.  So far, 21 people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

After the incident, rumours led to communal tension in the area.  Some incidents of arson and stone pelting were also reported. Saffron organisations also held a demonstration and created ruckus at the bus stand.  Police used tear gas to control the situation and resorted to use of force to disburse the mob. District administration imposed Section 144 in the town. But after reviewing the condition, collector JK Jain imposed curfew. In the violent incidents, about half-a-dozen people have received injuries. Collector JK Jain said police have arrested some people who were spreading  rumours and intensifying tension in the town.