Muzaffarnagar: Violence-hit Muzaffarnagar and neighbouring districts of western Uttar Pradesh remained peaceful yesterday as curfew was lifted for 12 hours under stern vigil of police and paramilitary forces. The toll rose to 47 with the discovery of more bodies.
The death toll has been highest in Muzaffarnagar (38) while the other deaths were reported from Shamli (3), Saharanpr (1), Baghpat (3) and Meerut (2).
Three bodies were recovered yesterday from the from Jaani canal in Meerut and Bhopa and Sikheda police station areas in Muzaffaranagar but police said whether they were connected to the communal violence or not will only be ascertained after post-mortem.
The district administration, with the help of police, have set up 547 fixed pickets in the rural areas in addition of the 536 mobile parties equipped with wireless sets so that prompt action could be take in case of rumour or violence.
Police and para-military forces meanwhile continued to conduct with flag marches Friday in sensitive areas. Seven people have been reported missing in Muzaffarnagar and two in Saharanpur and police fear they may have been killed in the clashes and their bodies dumped or disposed off in rivers and water bodies.
So far 11,000 people have been placed under preventive detention, a home department official said, while 187 have been arrested and 11 of them have cases of murder slapped against them.
As many as 2,023 arm licenses have been cancelled and 1,200 arms deposited with police at different police stations. A total of 182 illegal weapons have also been recovered in door to door searches.
IANS
