Curfew continues in Dhule, situation tense

The situation in curfew-bound Dhule remained tense but under control on Tuesday with the police issuing shoot at sight orders after communal riots left four persons dead.
       
The curfew imposed on Sunday after violence in the North Maharashtra town, remained in force for the third day though situation is well under control, special inspector general Surya Pratap Gupta said.
       
So far, 77 persons have been arrested in connection with the riots, he said adding adequate police force including State Reserve Police Force and Rapid Action Force have been deployed in all sensitive areas like Gajanan Colony, Devpur and Azad Nagar, where rioters indulged in arson.
       
Shoot at sight orders have also been issued to prevent any further flare up in the trouble-torn areas, police said. More than 350 families living in Gajanan Colony were shifted to safer places, they added.
       
Four persons were killed and 126 injured, including policemen and an additional district collector, in clashes that broke out after some miscreants tore off banners of the Hindu Rakshan Samiti asking people to attend a meeting in Ram Mandir Chowk, police had said.
       
Twenty eight injured are still undergoing treatment, while 98 persons have been discharged from the Dhule Civil Hospital, civil surgeon T K Khot told PTI on Tuesday.
       
Meanwhile, a person identified as Mohan Patil was killed late last on Monday night after a group of persons overturned his truck trapping him beneath the vehicle, police said.

Meanwhile, Dhule's Gajanan colony, the worst affected in the riots, wore a deserted look with members of both the communities being shifted to nearby areas and a local Urdu school with the help some voluntary organisations and social workers, who are helping out the needy here with food and shelter.
       
Deputy chief minister R R Patil had visited the riot-hit areas yesterday and announced financial aid to the kin of the deceased and also those injured.
       
Dhule has witnessed communal riots for the first time since 1993, when the town was affected by violence in wake of Babri Masjid demolition.