Lucknow, August 30
The state government today suspended 13 police officials, including ASP Rahul Yadvendra Singh, for dereliction of duty and failure to prevent the violence in Agra yesterday.

The situation in the city is fast returning to normal as the curfew was lifted from the Sadar police station area and relaxed in Tajganj.

Both the police station areas cover the Taj monument where several national and international tourists are staying in hotels.

Altogether 30 persons were arrested for arson, said special secretary, home, Manju Chandra. She also announced the suspension of the Agra ASP Rahul Yadvendra Singh, who earlier in the day had been transferred to Lucknow and attached to the DGP’s office.

Seven police officials have been suspended for not controlling the traffic after the nightlong shab-e-baraat mourning in the city’s graveyards.

Agra district magistrate Mukesh Meshram said: “The trouble in the city has had virtually no impact on the tourism industry. Despite the violence, 5,000 tourists had visited the monument yesterday. Today also, tourists visited the Taj.”

According to the DM, the district administration may lift day curfew from the Rakabganj and Lohamandi areas tomorrow if favourable reports are received from the local intelligence unit and other sources. But curfew would continue in the more sensitive areas of Nai ki Mandi and Mantola. Meanwhile, all educational institutions remained closed in Agra for the second consecutive day.

Principal secretary, home, J.N. Chamber, said extensive videography of the violence was available.