Kanpur situation 'peaceful'

By Our Special Correspondent

LUCKNOW, MARCH 19. The situation in the riot-torn Kanpur city was today officially described as peaceful with no untoward incident reported since noon yesterday.

The authorities today allowed curfew relaxation in all nine police station areas for one hour in three different phases. The relaxation period also passed off peacefully and people came out pick up essential supplies, including flour vegetables and milk.

The State's Principal Secretary (Home), Mr. Naresh Dayal, told newspersons here that with the recovery of three more bodies the number of those killed in the riots in Kanpur had gone up to 12.

In all, about 125 people have been arrested for violation of curfew and on substantive charges. Police have also recovered five country-made pistols, eight cartridges and 20 live bombs from the affected areas.

Search operations to recover hidden arms have meanwhile been discontinued and the immediate priority of the police is to restore normalcy. Searches could be restarted later, Mr. Dayal said.

Meanwhile, in Munshipurwa locality under the Kotwali police station of Mau town one person was killed when he was hit by stones thrown by some women living upstairs in the same house today. The women have been put under arrest. The victim and the assailants belonged to different communities.

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Section  : National
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