Curfew clamped on Indian towns

Reacting to four days of Hindu-Muslim rioting in Miraj, Sangli and Kolhapur, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, speaking from his hometown Nanded, said the violence was pre-planned to create division between the communities ahead of the forthcoming legislative polls in the state.

The violence began in Miraj on Wednesday when Muslims protested a structure put up by Hindu militant organizations depicting Maratha warrior Shivaji's slaying of Mughal general Afzal Khan.

District Collector Shyam Vardane, who announced the decision to impose curfew on Saturday night, said the order would be in force for a period of 33 hours and would be relaxed only after a review of the situation. But on Sunday afternoon, Vardane issued new orders extending the curfew to Sangli district till 2 p.m. Monday.

He said no one would be allowed to step out of their homes during the period without official permission. Those who violate the curfew would be arrested and cases registered against them, he warned.

The Miraj violence had its repercussions in Kolhapur, the hometown of Home Minister Patil. The Sena and BJP had called for a shutdown in the city on Sunday. Police arrested Sena legislators Madhu Chavan and Prakash Shendge who arrived at Kolhapur airport Sunday morning on their way to Miraj and Sangli saying their presence there would aggravate the situation further.

Police also arrested 200 Sena and BJP workers on Sunday when they protested at the removal of the controversial structure in Miraj. There were incidents of stone pelting and violent protests in several locations in the city; Kazinform cites Arab News. See www.arabnews.com for full version.