The curfew in Khargone continued for the third consecutive day on Sunday with authorities mulling relaxation if the situation showed improvement, Additional Superintendent (ASP) of Police Rajesh Chandoliya said. The prohibition was imposed following a clash between communities in Khargone on Thursday.
Chandoliya told The Pioneer that a two-hour relaxation in curfew was given from 10 am to 12 am on Sunday and the administration would review the condition and may provide full day relaxation in the curfew on Monday. Though the situation has improved, the curfew has been continued on Sunday as a preventive measure, he said.
Chandoliya further said that a total of 400 persons were arrested by the police after the clashes in the town. Of them 300 have been set free and 99 have been sent to the jail. Those sent to the jail include people from two communities, he said.
The curfew was imposed in the district after a clash between two groups following a verbal spat during the burning of effigies of Ravana on Dussehra on Thursdaynight.
Though no causalities were reported in the incident, more than 20 people were injured from both the communities. According to the police, additional superintend of police (ASP) and three other police personnel were also injured in the stone pelting. Rapid Action Force and extra police forces have been deployed in the city after the incident, to prevent any untoward incident.
As per DIG (Khargone) DK Arya, the situation is under control and the administration and police have made all attempts to prevent any further clashes. "99 people were arrested and booked under various sections of IPC and arrests are going on," the DIG said. An investigation would be conducted to probe into the reason behind the clashes, he added.