Situation peaceful in Muktsar district; curfew lifted in Malout

MUKTSAR: A day after a few incidents of violence, the situation on Saturday is by and large peaceful in Muktsar district, which shares its boundary with Sirsa district. The district magistrate has lifted the curfew in Malout town, which was imposed from 8 pm on Friday to 6 am on Saturday. The tension, however, prevails among the residents.

The curfew is still imposed in some neighbouring districts. Tribune photo: Archit Watts

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, August 26

A day after a few incidents of violence, the situation on Saturday is by and large peaceful in Muktsar district, which shares its boundary with Sirsa district of Haryana.

The district magistrate has lifted the curfew in Malout town, which was imposed from 8 pm on Friday to 6 am on Saturday. The tension, however, prevails among the residents.

The curfew is still imposed in some neighbouring districts.

Meanwhile, all three sub-divisional towns in the district–Muktsar, Malout and Gidderbaha–continued to wear a deserted look. Hardly any shops were seen open till 11.30 am. Even tea-sellers and eateries were closed.

Both train and bus services remained suspended on the second consecutive day on Saturday. Giving some respite to commuters, a few petrol pumps were open.

Muktsar Deputy Commissioner Sumeet Jarangal said, “The situation is peaceful in the district and we have lifted curfew in Malout. As a precautionary measure, the Army is still present in Malout.”

Muktsar SSP Sushil Kumar said, “We have rounded up five to six suspects in connection with Friday’s attempt to torch the Malout railway station and petrol pumps in the district. Luckily, no injuries have been reported in the district. The forces are alert.”

The administration and cops are on their toes as the dera followers who had gone to Panchkula are expected to return anytime on Saturday. Further, some reports suggested that four people from the district had died during the violence in Panchkula on Friday.

Sources in the district administration said one of the deceased was a 15-year-old boy, who was not even a dera follower, but had gone there with his friend.

Meanwhile, the Army personnel carried out a flag march in Malout town. The mobile internet facility is still suspended and people are using broadband services.

Security personnel are present in and around all ‘naam charcha ghars’ of the district.

The district police have so far booked around 40 people for incidents of Friday’s violence.