Saturday, October 29 2005 18:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mau: Curfew relaxation was today extended to 17 most sensitive localities of trouble-torn Mau in Uttar Pradesh as raids to arrest those accused in the post-Dussehra communal riots continued in the town.

Seventeen new localities falling in the most sensitive areas were given four-hour curfew relaxation in two phases in view of an overall improvement in the law and order situation, official sources here said.

In other parts of the town where curfew was relaxed from 0900 hours to 1700 hours, the district administration has now allowed the locals to start repair work of their damaged properties, sources said.

However, there was no let up in police deployment in sensitive areas and personnel of Border Security Force (BSF), Rapid Action Force (RAF), Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and local police continued to maintain a round the clock vigil, the sources said.

After the surrender of independent MLA, Mukhtar Ansari, the administration has now turned the heat on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of the state Vidhan Parishad Ramji Singh.

Raids were carried out today to arrest the other accused persons in the case, including Ramji Singh, Hindu Mahasabha leader Ajit Singh Chandel and Haji Vakil, who have so far eluded the police dragnet.

Official sources said proceedings to attach their properties would be initiated from Monday onwards action is underway to cancel their arms licenses.

The law and order situation of the town was being reviewed periodically and help was being taken from the peace committees to further normalize the situation, sources added.