The Times of India
by Ashish Tripathi, TNN | Oct 27, 2012, 11.20PM IST
LUCKNOW: Curfew continued in the violence hit areas of Faizabad on the third consecutive day on Saturday. The Eid-ul-Zuha festival of Muslims and the Bharat Milap episode of Ram Lila organised by Hindus were held under restrictions and heavy security arrangements.
The district administration heaved a sigh or relief as no major incident of violence was reported during the day. However, a war of words broke out between political parties with the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) blaming each other for communal flare up in Faizabad. Some relaxation in the curfew bound areas was given to allow Muslims offer special festival prayers in mosques of their respective localities.
On the request of the district administration, the minority community agreed not to assemble at the Eidgah for prayers as normally done on the occasion of the festival. On the other hand, the administration issued special passes for the people participating in Bharat Milap episode of Ram Lila. No gathering of audience was allowed. The officials persuaded the organisers of the six big Ram Lilas to postpone Ram Barat episode till lifting of the curfew from the entire district.
Communal violence was triggered by a dispute over immersion of Durga idol on Wednesday. So far, the violence has claimed two lives. Several shops and vehicles were set on fire by the arsonists. Over 70 persons have been arrested and 30 FIRs have been registered by police so far.
Additional director general (law and order) Jagmohan Yadav, who visited Faizabad on Saturday, told reporters that petrol bombs and kerosene oil in large quantity was recovered in the search operations, which indicates that some people vitiated peace and harmony of Faizabad in a planned manner.
Yadav said people found with petrol bombs have been arrested. He also said that the police is also keeping a close watch on any attempt to spread rumours and tension through sms or social networking sites or any other medium. Heavy posse of police, PAC and Rapid Action force has been deployed. Superintendent of police (SP), Sitapur, Deepak Kumar has been posted in Faizabad for 'special duty'. He may replace the present SP Ramit Sharma.
The state government has replaced four officers of the district so far after complaints that delayed response of the administration aggravated the crisis. District magistrate Deepak Agarwal told TOI that peace committees are being formed in every mohalla to help administration bring normalcy. Both young and elderly are being made part of the committees, which will not only keep an eye on trouble makers but also counter rumours to check violence. Meanwhile, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav described communal tension in Faizabad as a 'conspiracy', which he said would be exposed soon. Senior minister Shivpal Singh Yadav accused BJP and RSS of instigating communal hatred. However, BJP leader Vinay Katiyar blamed SP government for riots.
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