Curfew relaxed in parts of violence-hit Veraval

Curfew has been relaxed for two hours for women and children in certain areas of the violence-hit Veraval town in Junagadh district where two persons were killed and eight injured on Monday.

"The situation is peaceful and under control now. Curfew, earlier extended from 8 am to 12 noon, has been relaxed for women and children from 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm in Kharvavad, Gandhichowk, Patelvaad and other old city areas," Junagadh district superintendent of police B D Vaghela said.

"Around 200 people have been arrested and combing operations are on," he said.

Two persons had been killed in rioting after frenzied mobs resorted to burning about 40 shops, looting and arson after news about a girl being teased near a school spread in the sensitive town.

The condition of one of the two injured persons shifted to a hospital in Rajkot is critical and he has been kept under observation, hospital sources said.

Business activity came to a standstill for the second consecutive day on Tuesday in the town as all major markets and industries remained closed.

Some of the major industries situated at Veraval include Indian Rayon, Gujarat Ambuja and Nova Bearings.

Veraval also reports the highest fish exports in the state. Fish brought from the sea in trawlers could not be processed and forwarded to different destinations due to curfew in the town, sources said.

Security arrangements at the Somnath Temple, located about seven km from Veraval, has been tightened, police officials said. A peace march was organsied by community leaders.

"The situation is absolutely peaceful and no untoward incident occurred," Junagadh district collector Rohit Pathak said.

DIG (Junagadh range) T S Bisht, meanwhile, said the situation in Veraval was being reviewed.

Police has tightened security in the entire region to thwart any untoward incident,official sources said.