Punjab Returns to Normalcy
Punjab, which saw militant rioting and arson over Vienna killing a few days ago, is gradually returning to normalcy as officials continues to give day-time relaxation in curfew in tense areas.
Authorities announced relaxation in curfew from 6 pm to 10 pm in Jalandhar and Phagwara, while in Ludhiana, curfew was relaxed from 6 am to 8 pm. In Malout town in Muktsar, officials announced relaxation from 6 am to 7 pm. Day curfew was also lifted in Hoshiarpur, said reports.
However, night curfew would continue to remain in force at all the five places as a precautionary measure.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Gill appraised the situation in Muktsar and also held a meeting of the 21-member peace committee comprising members of various religious and political groups.
Needless to add, curfew was imposed in Jalandhar, Phagwara, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana and Malout after violence sparked off by the killing of the sect leader Rama Nand in Vienna.
In the state, schools were closed on account of summer holidays while all commercial establishments, including banks were open and rail and road traffic was running smoothly.
Similarly, the situation in neighbouring Haryana, which witnessed violence in Ambala, Jagadhri and Nariangarh was also peaceful.
Punjab witnessed large-scale violence and arson after followers of Sikh religious sect Dera Sachkhand Ballan took to the streets on Sunday night in protest against the attack on their leaders in a Vienna Gurudwara.
