Indian Idol row: Curfew lifted from sensitive areas in Siliguri

Siliguri, Sept 30: Curfew was lifted since this morning from this violence-hit commercial town in North Bengal. Inspector General of Police (North Bengal) R J S Nawla said curfew in the remaining 11 sensitive areas of the town was lifted after the situation was reviewed this morning. The Army and BSF, called out on September 28, were now on standby and expected to be sent back after a review meeting tomorrow morning, he said. Darjeeling District Magistrate Rajesh Pandey has asked all educational institutions to remain closed tomorrow as a precautionary measure. Curfew was withdrawn from most areas in Siliguri yesterday but continued in 11 sensitive areas, including the inter-state Tenzing Norgay bus terminus, Silguri town railway station area and Mahabirsthan. Curfew was clamped on September 28 to quell violence following a clash between fans of Indian Idol Prashant Tamang and local people over making way for an ambulance. There was no untoward incident in Siliguri sub-division in the plains and the three sub-divisions in the Darjeeling hills, with political parties, youth organisations and influential individuals appealing for peace, the IGP said. Bureau Report