Ahmedabad, Nov 03: Indefinite curfew in the communal violence-hit Viramgam town, about 60 kms from here, continued for the second day today even as police claimed the situation was "totally peaceful and under control". "The situation is totally under control and no incident of violence has been reported. There is no tension in the town but curfew continues as a precautionary measure," DIG (Ahmedabad Range) A K Sharma said here.

Curfew was clamped in Viramgam after three persons were killed when former civic councillor Purushottam Jadhav allegedly fired at a mob after a local cricket match turned violent sparking off communal clashes yesterday. Twenty five persons, comprising members of both the communities, have been arrested for their alleged role in the clashes, Sharma said. The 12 bore licensed gun with four empty cartridges, allegedly used by the "main culprit" Jadhav who was arrested yesterday, has also been recovered, he said.

The incident occurred after a cricket ball went into the temple.
BR> Giving details of the incident, the DIG said in the past also majority community persons had objected to the minority community youth playing cricket near the temple. "Jadhav, who reprimanded the boys after the ball went into the temple, was beaten up by them. Later he went to his house and returned with the weapon," Sharma said.

"He (Jadhav) fired from a close proximity, which resulted in large number of injuries," Sharma added.

Bureau Report