Curfew imposed in Madhya Pradesh's Khargone on Eid, Akshaya Tritiya

Madhya Pradesh authorities have declared a curfew during Eid, Akshaya Tritiya and Parshuram Jayanti in Khargone where communal violence had erupted during Ram Navami last month.

Eid is to be celebrated on May 2 or 3, Monday/Tuesday, depending on moon sighting and the city will see complete curfew on both these days, the district administration has said.

“Complete curfew will be imposed in the Khargone on May 2 and May 3. Eid prayers to be offered at home,” said Summer Singh, Additional District Magistrate of Khargone.

Shops will remain open on these days. Students appearing for exams will be given passes, he said, adding that curfew would be relaxed from 8 am to 5 pm and people can venture out during this time.

Also read: Curfew continues in Khargone, officials deny migration of families

Singh also said that no event will be allowed in the district on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya and Parshuram Jayanti.

He urged people to celebrate festivals at home.

Khargone’s in-charge Superintendent of Police Rohit Kashwani said additional forces have been called from other districts to maintain law and order situation in the city in view of the festivals. Temporary jails have been set up and those violating the curfew will not be spared, he said.

Curfew was clamped in the city after the violence on April 10, during which shops and houses were damaged, vehicles torched and stones hurled, leaving one person dead and 24 injured. More than 150 people were arrested in connection with 64 cases of communal violence and five persons were arrested in connection with the murder of one man.

Since April 14, the local administration has been relaxing the curfew for some hours. As per the district administration’s order, the curfew relaxation will not be applicable to petrol pumps and for the sale of kerosene from Public Distribution System (PDS) shops.

During the curfew relaxation period, shops selling milk, vegetables, medicines, and barbers shops among others, are allowed to remain open, but religious places have been asked to be kept shut. Passenger buses will be allowed to ply during curfew relaxation, the order said.