Police patrolled the curfew-bound streets to prevent untoward incidents. Curfew was reimposed in certain parts of the city after two people were stabbed to death by mobs yesterday. In view of the ongoing religious tension, Muslims had earlier declared that they would not take out the traditional procession on Muharram. More than 700 people were killed a month ago in the state in reprisals for an attack allegedly by a Muslim mob on a train which claimed the lives of 58 people. Tension between Hindus and Muslims, who form 10 per cent of the state's 50 million population, had risen sharply after the worst bloodshed in almost a decade. Muharram is observed every year by Muslims to mark the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, in Karbala, on the tenth day of the month of Muharram. Hussain was killed by the army of Yazid, who was said to be the usurper of the Caliphate or a self-appointed successor to the Prophet.

March 25, 2002