Gaya, Jan 11: Normalcy was restored today in the pilgrim city of Gaya which witnessed large scale arson and stone throwing following reports of damage to portraits of two gods late Friday night, official sources said here.

There is complete calm and normalcy, all shops are open and traffic is normal, Gaya District Magistrate Brajesh Mehrotra said, adding, "The situation is fully under control now.” Tension had gripped the town yesterday following damage to portraits of two gods at a temple in Kotwali police station area that triggered violent protests.

Locals had vandalised a few shops belonging to a particular community and indulged in stone-throwing forcing the police to use lathis at some places.
The district administration had requested the army to stand by to meet any eventuality.

Mehrotra said that one company of rapid action force has been deployed to assist the local police in maintaining peace.
Bureau Report