Curfew lifted in Malout, relaxed in other areas of Punjab

Moga, Aug 26: Curfew was lifted from Malout town and relaxed in other areas of Punjab today to enable residents to buy essential commodities. In Moga, situation is under control and not a single incident of violence occurred during the last 24 hours. The indefinite curfew, which was imposed last night at 2100 hrs, was relaxed for one hour (from 1000 hrs-1100 hrs.) Keeping in view, the incidents of violence in Panchkula yesterday, the district administration has also kept the Army on standby. After holding a meeting with paramilitary officials and reviewing the situation, District Magistrate Dilraj Singh Sandhawalia said that situation in the district is under control and the administration was determined to maintain law and order at all costs. In Faridkot district, law and order situation was tense but under control. Indefinite curfew was imposed in the district last night after followers of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, agitated over his conviction in a rape case, set ablaze of Seva Kendra in rural area. The district administration has withdrawn the curfew this morning. In Mukatsar district, law and order situation was completely under control and not a single incident of violence was reported. The curfew was imposed in Malout town of the district at 2000 hrs yesterday when some agitated followers tried to set Malout town afire. The district administration has withdrawn the curfew at 0600 hrs today. UNI