AMN /
Situation is fast limping back to normalcy in violence hit areas of Guajarat following deployment of army and paramilitary forces. Markets and commercial establishments have started operations from today in most of the towns and cities However educational activities in Universities and other private institutions also started but Schools remained closed as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, curfew was relaxed during the day time in most of the areas. Following improvement in the situation, curfew in Patan and some areas of Surat was completely lifted from on Thursday. Curfew, however, is still in place in 9 police station areas of Ahmedabad and five areas of Mehsana district including Unjha, Visnagar, Vijapur and Kadi.
Army and para-military forces are keeping strict vigil in troubled areas. Five columns of Army have been deployed in sensitive areas of Ahmedabad. Two columns each have been deployed in Surat and Mehsana district. 133 companies of central and state security forces have been deployed in the state, which include 53 companies of paramilitary forces and 80 companies of State Reserve Police Force.
Due to the Patidar agitation for reservation and damage to the railway tracks in Ahmedabad railway division, a number of trains have been canceled or diverted. Most of the trains going towards Rajasthan have been canceled while trains going towards Mumbai are running normally. Over 200 vehicles, 98 buses, 15 police chowkies and several police vehicles apart from some Government offices were burnt by protesters during the last two days.