Following requests, cops relax vigil to allow residents of riot-prone town to celebrate Holi yesterday and today
Following requests, cops relax vigil to allow residents of riot-prone town to celebrate Holi yesterday and today
Gokak celebrated Holi yesterday, a day behind schedule. The stringent provisions under Section 144, which had beenu00a0 imposed in the town following riots on Monday, did not allow people to congregate to celebrate Holi.
However, following requests from residents, the district police allowed them to play Holi for two days, starting Tuesday. Communal riots had broke out in Gokak on March 1.
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Holi-day: The police have allowed Gokak-residents can play holi today from 8 am to 12 pm. Representational pic |
Cultural concerns
District Superintendent of Police Sonia Narang said, "We have imposed section 144 in the town but keeping cultural considerations in mind, we allowed them to celebrateu00a0 Holi for four hours in the morning.u00a0 They can also play Holi tomorrow from 8 am to 12 pm." Following the riots, Gokak could not celebrate Holi on Monday.
Narang said, "Following the communal clashes, we arrested 48 people and sent them to judicial custody. Other than this, the town has largely been very peaceful." Sources revealed that two vehicles were burnt in Shimoga yesterday evening.
Security tightened
"Security has been tightened to prevent any untoward incident. Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) personnel are keeping a close watch," said S Murugan, Shimoga superintendent of police, who denied reports of vehicles being set on fire in Shimoga.
The Police have arrested nearly 150 people in connection with the riots in Shimoga and Hasan.
The communal clashes hurt businesses in Shimoga, where people struggled to get basic requirements like milk and vegetables.
Gandhi Bazaar and Hoovu marukatte (flower market), which witnessed communal clashed on March 2 have been particularly affected.
