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Coimbatore limping back to normalcy

Coimbatore, which was rocked by communal violence for the last two days, was slowly limping back to normalcy even as the toll rose to 18, with the death of two more people in stabbing incidents last night.

The body of a 25-year-old youth was recovered from Ukkadam bypass road while another was stabbed to death in Jeeva Nagar.

Though sporadic incidents of arson and stone-throwing were reported in some areas, the situation was by and large under control, according to the police.

With buses, taxis, autorickshaws and private vehicles back on the roads, people were able to move about freely though certain vulnerable pockets were still out of bounds.

Attendance in government offices and commercial establishments, which was very thin yesterday, was better today. However, a majority of the shops remained closed today following a 48-hour strike called by the traders in protest against levying of service tax.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has deputed senior Ministers Arcot N Veerasamy and Duraimurugan to visit the riot-hit areas and take speedy measures to restore normalcy and peace.

Forest Minister Pongalur N Palanisamy and Additional Director General of Police (law and order) S Kumarasamy are already camping in the city.

UNI

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