Dhule curfew may be lifted for few hours

NASHIK: The three-day curfew that Dhule residents have been subjected to is likely to be lifted for a few hours on Wednesday, to help residents buy groceries and stock up basic necessities like vegetables and fruits.

The police said the toll in the Sunday’s Hindu-Muslim riots had gone up to seven, with three deaths reported from the hospital.

Meanwhile, the police intercepted a Mahindra Scorpio (MH -21 C-1924) during a nakabandi at galli no7 in Deopur area of Dhule, early on Tuesday. The vehicle was allegedly carrying 35 swords, some lathis and some more ammunition. A police constable’s involvement in the smuggling of the weapons is suspected by the police.

The vehicle was coming from Malegaon and heading into Dhule city, according to police sources.

The riots were reported to be spreading to villages around Dhule.

Unconfirmed reports state that a petrol pump was torched by miscreants in Morane Shivar. Rumours were flying thick and fast but the situation was kept under control, thanks to the strict vigil of the law-enforcing authorities.

IG special range, SP Gupta, said more than 200 people have been arrested, apart from preventive detentions.

b_vaishali@dnaindia.net