Curfew relaxed in Miraj; idol immersions resume

Immersions of the Ganesha idol commenced in Miraj on Thursday as authorities relaxed curfew after week-long communal disturbance in the south-western town.

Hundreds of idols remained at their pandals waiting to be immersed after communal violence broke out on September 3 on Anant Chaturdashi day over an arch constructed by pro-Hindutva organisations portraying killing of Moghul warrior Afzal Khan by Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji.

According to ADG Shivpratap Singh Yadav, curfew that was imposed on September 6 will remain relaxed till all Ganesh idols are duly immersed in the river. However, the final decision to lift it will be taken only after reviewing the situation, he said.

The city of Sangli which is the district headquarters, and textile township of Ichalkaranji in neighbouring Kolhapur district too had been placed under curfew as violent clashes in the region lead to the deployment of para-military forces.

The Sangli district administration decided to commence the immersions after an all party meeting convened by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan. It was attended by representatives of Ganesh mandals to work out a settlement.