Parbhani, Nov 28: The body of Abdul Samad, who yesterday succumbed to the bullet injuries sustained during last Friday's police firing, was buried here this morning, amidst tight police security even as tension prevailed in Parbhani and the adjacent Nanded since last night. The body of Samad, who passed away at Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad where he was undergoing treatment, was brought to Parbhani at around 2 am, district collector, Madhukar Chaudhary told.

"The last rites were completed by 5.45 am with over 250 people participating in the funeral procession. The entire funeral took place amidst tight police security and in the presence of government officials", he said.

Panic and rumour of violence spread in Parbhani last night as news of Samad's death filtered in, forcing authorities to clamp curfew as a precautionary measure from 10 pm. However, it was relaxed from 7 am today after completion of the last rites, Chaudhary said. In adjacent Nanded too, which witnessed cases of arson on Sunday, the situation was tense but under control.

According to B N Raut, special inspector general Nanded, "there were rumours of violence floating in the area following the news of Samad's death. However, the situation was brought under control with the police quickly dispelling rumours and maintaining constant vigil."

The two districts had witnessed tension following a bomb explosion in a mosque in Parbhani on Friday last in which 35 persons were injured. Bureau Report