Curfew curbs removed: Mahal, Itwari fully open

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Nagpur: After nearly a week of tension, Mahal and Itwari markets fully reopened on Monday, with streets again filled with traffic and shoppers. The curfew, which kept businesses shut and residents indoors, was lifted on Sunday afternoon, gradually paving the way for normalcy. By Monday, the city’s core commercial areas were bustling with activity.
While most shops and vendors resumed business, heavy police deployment remained in key areas such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Putla Chowk and Chitnis Park Chowk, epicentres of last week’s violence. Barricades were removed from most parts of the area, but security forces continued to maintain a watchful eye to prevent any further incidents, with even surveillance vans placed.
“We were waiting for this moment. Six days of closure hit us badly,” said Ravi Gupta, a trader from Itwari Market. “The past few days felt endless. Seeing people back on the streets gives some hope,” he added.
On Monday, traffic was back in almost full swing, with vehicles navigating through the narrow lanes of Mahal and Itwari. Autorickshaws, which were largely absent during the curfew, were back to ferrying passengers, and roadside vendors returned to their usual spots. However, some of the worst-affected lanes, where vehicles were damaged, are still seeing a slower revival. Very few establishments remained closed, while some shopkeepers chose to operate with caution.

“I decided to open my store today, but there’s still some hesitation,” said a shop owner near Chitnis Park. “We have to move on, but the fear lingers. We just hope nothing like this happens again,” he added.
Despite the return of commercial activity, residents are still grappling with the aftermath of the violence. Many expressed relief that the markets were open again but acknowledged that a complete return to normalcy would take time. “Finally, we don’t have to think twice before stepping out,” said Ramesh Deokar, a resident of Mahal. “The police presence is reassuring, but the fact that they are still here reminds us of what happened.”
Local police officials said that sensitive areas would remain under security cover for a few more days.