Rawalpindi unrest: Curfew lifted as tensions subside

RAWALPINDI: As tensions subsided in Rawalpindi, authorities lifted the curfew in the garrison city on Monday, Express News reported.

The ban on congregations and public gatherings under section 144 will remain in place.

Schools and businesses in the twin cities have opened and the containers that were blocking roads as part of the curfew are being removed.

Rawalpindi District Coordination Officer (DCO) Sajid Zafar Dall had said earlier that the army will also remain on standby and can be called if required at any time.

The lockdown in Rawalpindi had remained for a second consecutive day for much of Sunday. The day, however, progressed far less eventfully than Saturday, as army troops patrolled the garrison city and residents were not allowed to step outside their homes.

Cellular services were restored on Sunday evening.

The district administration had clamped the curfew on Friday after violent clashes in the city left nine dead, dozens injured and over a hundred shops gutted.

Clashes

On November 15, sectarian clashes had erupted at a Muharram 10 procession near Fawara Chowk, that left at least nine people dead and over 80 injured. The tragedy had occurred as mob turned against the police in the procession passing through Raja Bazaar in Pindi.

As mourners massed, a group of miscreants had reportedly snatched guns from police personnel installed in the area for security, and opened fire. Unknown people had also set a portion of the cloth market in Raja Bazaar on fire.

The situation had soon gotten out of hand and the army was called in to control the situation.