Curfew has been eased in Haldwani's Banbhoolpura area after a week-long imposition, following unrest sparked by the demolition of an "illegal" madrassa.
Banbhoolpura, the focal point of the violence which saw stone pelting and arson, witnessed a partial relaxation of restrictions, as announced by Nainital District Magistrate Vandana Singh on Thursday.
According to an order issued by DM Singh, curfew will be relaxed from 9 am to 4 pm in Gaujajali, Railway Bazar and FCI godown area.
However, in the rest of Banbhoolpura, it was relaxed for two hours from 9 am to 11 am.
During the curfew relaxation shops dealing in essentials will remain open and the residents will be allowed to out to buy essentials, the order said.
However, unnecessary movement of people even during relaxation in curfew will remain prohibited, it said.
Movement of Banbhoolpura residents will continue to be restricted to the area under curfew during the relaxation period not outside it.
Essential supply vehicles can ply in the area if they have a pass issued by the magistrate concerned.
Students in area under curfew will be permitted to go to their centres for the boards, university or other competitive examinations if they produce their admit cards, the DM's order said.
Any violation of the order will be punishable under section 188 of the CrPC, it said.
Violence broke out on February 8 over the demolition of an illegally built madrassa in the Banbhoolpura area, with locals hurling stones and petrol bombs at municipal workers and police, forcing many police personnel to seek refuge at a police station, which the mob then set on fire.
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