Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Sept 16: As the situation in curfew bound Rajouri town showed slight improvement, the District Administration gave relaxation in the curfew for about two hours this evening.
The troubled township of Rajouri which is under curfew since Wednesday, remained peaceful today. Observing improvement in the situation, the District Administration gave relaxation in old city area from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm and from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm in Jawahar Nagar and some other adjoining localities. Some shops were opened in the town and the people made necessary purchases. But majority of the shops from the majority community remained closed.
A senior officer in the District Administration said that as the situation remained peaceful today and no untoward incident was reported, it has been decided to give relaxation in curfew tomorrow from 10 am to 1 pm in one pocket of Rajouri town and then from 1 pm to 4 pm in the other remaining areas. It may be relaxed further depending upon the response, he added.
A senior police officer disclosed that three persons who were allegedly involved in arson in Rajouri town on Wednesday were arrested by police raiding teams from different locations last night. They were identified as Mohd Mushtaq, Mohd Sahil and Mohd Shafiq-all residents of Bela Colony, Rajouri. A case FIR has been registered against them. He said that police was looking for some more youth who were involved in arson and causing damage to several establishments during violent protests on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Minister for CAPD Department Ch Zuflkar Ali convened two public meetings and appealed the people to help Administration in restoring peace and normalcy in the town. He also held separate meetings with the prominent persons of both the communities and sought their help in restoring peace.
Talking to media-persons, he said that whosoever is responsible for disturbing peace will not be spared. He said four persons from both the communities have been arrested so far and some more wanted by police will not be spared. The Minister said that Magisterial inquiry has already been ordered and ACR Rajouri will submit report within two weeks. A four member committee to assess damages/ losses has also been constituted and compensation as recommended by the committee will be provided to the sufferers. He appealed the religious heads of all the communities to come forward and help administration in restoring peace.
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