With the situation limping back to normalcy, the district administration today decided to relax curfew for four hours from noon in three areas of riot-hit Muzaffarnagar.

District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said curfew would be relaxed for four hours from 12 noon.

The clashes in the district and adjoining towns have claimed 40 lives. The district administration reviewed the situation and took a decision to relax curfew to help the people attend necessary chores.

Strict vigil was being maintained during the relaxation period and police and paramilitary forces are on high alert.

The administration had imposed curfew in Kotwali, Civil Lines and Nai Mandi areas of the district of Saturday last following communal flare up. No one would be allowed to disturb peace in the area, the DM warned.