Curfew was relaxed for the first time in ten days in some areas on Monday even as paramilitary forces patrolled the sensitive localities to maintain a grip on the situation in the communally volatile town.

• Mau: Four arrested, curfew relaxed for women

A two-hour curfew relaxation was given in Hydel Colony, Nizamuddinpura and Domanpura localities following an overall improvement in the situation, official sources said. Markets opened partially and people came out of their houses to make purchases, sources said.

In the other areas where curfew was still in force, Police, PAC, RAF and BSF personnel continued to patrol the lanes and bylanes to ensure peace and order. District authorities ensured supply of essential commodities in these localities, they said adding that peace committee meetings were organised to further normalise the situation.

• BSP demands CBI probe into Mau riots

BSF had staged a flag march in the town on Sunday in a bid to instill confidence among people even as 12 people were arrested in the crackdown on anti-social elements, sources said. The town has been under curfew since October 13 after the eruption of communal riots over Dussehra celebrations. Nine persons were killed in the subsequent frenzy.