Curfew relaxed in Navi Mumbai

Mumbai: After four tense days of raging violence, Navi Mumbai is finally limping back to normalcy.

According to senior Navi Mumbai police officials, no incident of congregation of mob or damage to public and private property was reported either in Koparkhairane or any other locality of Navi Mumbai in past 24 hours, particularly after the government stepped in and held discussions with representatives of the groups, who have been involved in clashes for past four days

Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil visited the area on Sunday and assured strong action against those who fuelled the violence.

After assessing the riot-hit areas first hand, Patil said government will take strict action once the inquiry committee's report was submitted in the next three days.

"If we find any politician was involved in fuelling the violence here we shall take them to task, irrespective of which party he may be from," he said.

Patil assured the transfer of senior police inspector Shamsher Khan Pathan who ordered the firing on the villagers.

He also said that the Revenue Commissioner would inquire into the police firing.

Residents who are slowly recovering from the situation, are worried about the their children who will be appearing for their Senior Secondary exams on March 21 and 22.

"There are so many students who need to go and take their last two exams. The situation is so bad, we don't know what to do," a parent, Shobha Raghunath, says.

It's a fear the Home Minister was quick to respond to. "If need be, there will be police escorts for students going to schools and their exams," he assured.

The Navi Mumbai Municipal corporation has decided to provide the students with free buses.