Saturday, May 6 2006 12:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Vadodara: Troops were withdrawn from two areas of this Gujarat city Saturday with the situation remaining peaceful after several days of communal strife.

"Since no incident occurred in some areas for the past two days, the army has been withdrawn from the Karelibaug and Raopura police station areas," said Vadodara Police Commissioner Dipak Swarup.

Troops will, however, remain in four other areas.

Communal violence raised its head here the past week after the civic authorities demolished a 300-year-old dargah without the consent of the Muslim community. The strife has claimed at least six lives, leading to a curfew.

But now curfew has been relaxed for four hours in areas under the jurisdiction of all the six police stations. Unlike earlier, the relaxation is no longer restricted to women and children.

"Women were allowed to go out for three hours, but it was useless for us as most shops remain closed," said Jyotsna Patel of the Raopura area.

Since the curfew relaxation was not for men, most shopkeepers had kept their shutters downed.

"Our area was under curfew and my shop is near Pani Gate. I know there were chances of doing business as the curfew has been lifted over there, but how could I go? It was difficult to avail of curfew passes," said Hiteshbhai Doshi who resides in Nawapura, about two km away from his provision shop in Pani Gate.

In places where the curfew has been lifted, the roads that were deserted for days have started witnessing some movement. Auto-rickshaws have lined up again in Raopura, and shops have opened up slowly in Pani Gate as curfew was relaxed there up to 12 in the noon.

Security arrangements are still tight, with a policeman present at every 50-metres and Rapid Action Force vehicles continuing patrolling.

The police commissioner has expressed hope that the city would soon return to normalcy.