The Haryana administration on Sunday relaxed restrictions on public movement from 9am to 7pm in Punhana in Mewat. However, the curfew, which was imposed on Saturday, will continue on Monday.
“On Sunday the curfew was relaxed for 10 hours from 9am to 7pm. Markets opened and people have been buying essential commodities,” said Ramesh Chand Varma, deputy commissioner.
Meanwhile, the two communities have met the deputy commissioner and have shown eagerness to resolve the matter. Varma said, “Local Muslim leaders met me today evening and expressed their eagerness to resolve the matter through mutual arbitration with the Hindu community. Yesterday, a Hindu delegation too had met me with the same intent.”
Mohammad Ilyas, the sitting MLA of Punhana from Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), said, “We had formed a committee for arbitration. Today Hindus from neighbouring Pinagwan town had come and talked to the committee, and had conveyed that they are ready to mediate between the two communities here. We gave them our approval as we want a speedy and peaceful compromise. Tomorrow, at 10pm they will again come and talk to the Hindu leaders here. I am very hopeful that within next two days, this issue will be resolved.”
A resident of Nakanpur on condition of anonymity said the town was facing milk shortage due to the curfew.
He said, “There has been no untoward incident since the curfew was imposed perhaps due to heavy police and para-military deployment, but essential commodities such as milk have been disrupted in the town. The administration, however, is helping us with the milk supply.”
However, the DC said, “There is no dearth of milk in the town and we are supplying milk packets to the residents.”
Meanwhile, after the BJP asked for the removal of the SP and the DC of Mewat on Saturday, Right wing organizations in Gurgaon too expressed deep concern over the situation in Punhana and met SDM Gurgaon to submit a representation.
They demanded strict action against miscreants who were inciting communal tension.