Punjab limps back to normalcy, curfew relaxed

The situation remained by and large peaceful in trouble-hit Punjab [ Images ] on Wednesday with authorities relaxing the curfew in Jalandhar [ Images ], Phagwara and Hoshiarpur, which witnessed violent protests in the wake of the killing of a sect leader in Vienna [ Images ].

Train services were also restored in Punjab today morning. However, long-route buses were not plying as a precautionary measure, but the services were expected to be restored shortly.

The three-hour curfew relaxation in Jalandhar, which was the worst hit by violence in the wake of the killing of a sect leader in Vienna, passed off peacefully, officials said. 

Curfew remained in place in Malout town of Muktsar, they said, maintaining that it was likely to be relaxed. No untoward incident was reported from Haryana, which also witnessed violent protests in Ambala, Yamunanagar and certain other places.

Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner A S Pannu said curfew would remain in force in the district for some more period as a precautionary measure and commercial and educational institutes would remain closed till further orders.

Security forces would continue to be deployed at several sensitive points, he added. The Army had been called out following violence in Jalandhar, Phagwara and Hoshiarpur.

Punjab witnessed large-scale violence and arson after followers of the Sikh religious sect Dera Sachkhand Ballan took to the streets on Sunday night to protest the killing of their religious leader in a Vienna gurudwara.