Army may leave Vadodara by May 9

A final decision will be taken on Monday after monitoring developments, Police Commissioner Deepak Swarup said.

With the seven-hour curfew relaxation passing off peacefully on Sunday, authorities have hinted that the Army could be withdrawn by Tuesday.

HT Image

The city remained completely peaceful, Police Commissioner Deepak Swarup said. "The Army will be withdrawn from the city by Tuesday. But, a final decision will be taken on Monday after monitoring developments," he said.

Swarup said that the curfew would be further relaxed for nine hours on Monday from 8 am to 5 pm in all six police station areas that were affected by violence following the demolition of a dargah by civic authorities on May 1. The Army has already been withdrawn from Raopura and Karelibagh areas.

Six people were killed and over 60 were injured in police firing and clashes last week.

During the curfew relaxation on Sunday, many shops remained opened despite it being a Sunday. Bhavik Rawal, a shop owner in Dandiya Bazaar, said that he had opened his establishment after six days. "We lost business worth thousands of rupees due to the disturbances," he said.

The Congress party organised prayers for peace by leaders of all religions. Congress leader Arjun Modhvadia offered condolences to those whose kin had died in the violence and appealed to the people to maintain calm.