Dhule riots: Curfew put off for three hours

Peace returned to North Maharashtra's riot-hit Dhule town with no fresh incidents of violence reported for the fifth day on Friday, police said.
       
Curfew was relaxed for three hours on Friday morning from 0900 hours till noon, Dhule police told PTI.
       
Following the relaxtion, people stepped out of their homes to purchase daily commodities, police said adding the curfew was relaxed for the first time on Thursday for two hours in wake of the Vijay Dashmi celebrations.
       
Meanwhile, tight vigil is being maintained in city with extra police force including Central Reserve Police Force, State Reserve Police Force and Rapid Action Force being deployed in sensitive areas to prevent further flare-up in these places after riots broke out here on Sunday, claiming nine lives and injuring more than 170 persons.
       
Communal riots erupted after a banner of Hindu Rakshak Samiti was found torn in Ram Mandir Chowk, leading to clashes and incidents of arson in many areas here, police said.

Also, more than 250 persons have been arrested in connection with the riots, they said adding that special inspector general SP Gupta, deputy Superintendent of police Sunil Kolhe and collector Prajakta Lavangare are keeping a close watch on the situation.