Dhule, Oct 13: The indefinite curfew clamped in this riot-hit city of the North Maharahstra after the outbreak of communal violence last week, was relaxed for the second day today.

The curfew was relaxed from 0800 hrs to 1700 hrs and will be clamped again at night, sources said.

As a result, schools and colleges that were closed for the past one week will reopen. However, the exams of North Maharashtra University, scheduled to be held today and tomorrow, have been postponed due to the riots.

Yesterday, the authorities eased the curfew step-by-step.

Senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde yesterday visited the riot-affected town, where he demanded resignation of State Home Minister R R Patil for the government's failure to maintain law and order and arrest the culprits.

He also demanded immediate suspension of Dhule District Collector and Superintendent of Police.

Meanwhile, one more person succumbed to injuries yesterday, with this the number of dead has gone up to 10.

The district authorities have distributed cheques worth Rs five lakh each to the kin of the five dead.

The officials of revenue department have registered 2,898 'panchanamas' till yesterday. They estimate the losses to be around Rs 20 crore. Eighty cases have been filed till now and more than 400 people have been arrested in connection with the riots. Among the arrested were some political activists.


UNI