Curfew relaxed for Taj to reopen

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The Taj Mahal, India's famous monument to love, has re-opened even as curfew imposed in parts of northern Agra city following Wednesday's riots continues.

Officials say curfew has been relaxed in the area around the monument and a few tourists have visited it.

The violence started after a lorry crushed to death four Muslim men participating in a religious festival.

One man was killed and at least 50 policemen injured in the clashes. Dozens of vehicles were set on fire.

"The Taj Mahal has been open for the past three hours, but only three buses and four private tourist cars have arrived at the car park," gate official Raj Kumar was quoted by news agency AFP as saying.

'Berserk'

The Taj Mahal, a memorial to the wife of Mughal-era ruler Shahjahan, attracts millions of tourists from all over the world.

The violence was triggered off by a road accident (Pic: Vivek Jain)

District official Mukesh Meshram said 30 people have been arrested in connection with the rioting.

The men killed in Wednesday morning's accident were all Muslims, who were returning after participating in the festival of Shab-e Barat.

Agra chief of police, Rahul Yadavendu, has been suspended along with 13 other policemen in connection with the incident, officials said.

The state administration has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

A curfew was imposed in six areas of the city on Wednesday.

Angry residents in the Nai Mandi area of the city went "berserk" after the morning accident, state police said.

According to reports, mobs set a dozen lorries on fire and clashed with police.

One man was killed and two others were injured when police opened fire on protesters.

During Shab-e Barat [the night of forgiveness and atonement], Muslims visit the graveyards and pray for their dead.