By IANS
Agra : Near normalcy returned Thursday to the Taj Mahal city of Agra after a day of violence left five people dead but there were fewer visitors to the monument to love and on the streets.
Authorities suspended 14 policemen and transferred out Superintendent of Police (City) Rahul Yadavendu, holding them responsible for the Wednesday’s violence that began after a truck ploughed into a group of Muslims killing four.
In the mob fury that followed, dozens of people – mostly policemen – were injured. A young man died in police firing. Most residents blamed the police for letting truck traffic on a street where the Muslims were celebrating.
There was a heavy presence of paramilitary personnel on the streets of Agra, India’s top tourist destination. The day curfew was lifted from Taj Ganj and Sadar Thana areas but it continued in some interior areas of the city.
Banks and some markets were shut Thursday. Schools are to reopen only Saturday.Tourists thronged the Taj Mahal but in fewer numbers.
All the three gates of the imposing Taj were thrown open early Thursday to tourists, said Munazzar Ali, an official of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) here.
Uttar Pradesh Home Secretary Mahesh Gupta said no orders had been given to close the 17th century monument.
But once violence erupted in Agra Wednesday, ASI and security personnel at the monument persuaded tourists to vacate the Taj and return to their hotels.
Amid mob violence on the streets, tourists were asked to stay indoors and authorities imposed curfew in several areas, including those in and around the Taj, effectively sealing it.
There were no reports of untoward incidents Thursday but some areas continued to be under curfew.
The road from Sadar Bazar via the VIP road to Shilpgram near the Taj Mahal was open for traffic early Thursday – after being shut Wednesday.
Agra city woke up Thursday overwhelmed by despair.
Newspapers wondered how a small group of young men could hold the city hostage, with all the administrative wings paralysed for several hours.
“The surprising aspect was the involvement of the youth in the violence. Nowhere did we see older or middle aged people taking part in the violence. Urchins and misguided youngsters were at the vanguard,” said Manohar Gidwani, a banker.
A high level inquiry has been ordered by the state government to look into all aspects of Wednesday’s unrest, which hoteliers and tour operators said was sure to hit the tourist traffic hard.
The Taj Mahal is India’s biggest tourist draw and receives thousands of Indian and foreign tourists every day.