Telangana turmoil: Curfew relaxed in Vizianagaram for two hours

The district administration today relaxed curfew in violence-hit Vizianagaram town for two hours in the morning to help people buy essential commodities.

The district administration on Wednesday relaxed curfew in violence-hit Vizianagaram town for two hours in the morning to help people buy essential commodities.

Vizianagaram has been roiling since the Union cabinet's October 3 decision to carve out a separate state of Telangana out of Andhra Pradesh. Curfew was clamped in Vizianagaram town on Saturday

night in the wake of large-scale violence by anti-bifurcation agitators. Later a one-hour relaxation was given.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Vizag) P Umapathi said that the curfew was eased between 7am and 9am. The decision to allow two hours' relaxation in curfew was taken after people complained that the one-hour relaxation wasn't enough to make essential purchases.

"The situation is now completely under control. No fresh incidents of violence have been reported since the last two days in Vizianagaram," Umapathi said.

Police and paramilitary forces, including the members of the Rapid Action Force, were continuing to patrol the trouble torn city.

So far 207 persons have been taken into custody for allegedly indulging in violence. Some are likely to be arrested. A special team has been formed to nab the people indulged in violence, police sources said.

District superintendent of police Vizianagaram Kartikeya said that a special team with DSP rank officers had been formed to identify a few other culprits, who torched various properties, including those owned by APCC president Botsa Satyanarayana and his family members.

"Though the situation is under control now, we will continue to keep a vigil for a couple of more days before completely lifting the curfew. Action will be initiated against those indulged in the violent activities," Kartikeya said.