DEHRADUN/UTTARKASHI: The district administration of Uttarkashi, where communal tensions have been simmering since May 27 in the Purola area, has imposed section 144 of the CrPC from June 14 till June 19 in the town, banning any mass congregations in the area.Meanwhile, Hindu right-wing outfits in a joint statement on late Wednesday night announced that they have postponed the June 15 Mahapanchayat for an indefinite period citing the 'oppressive policies of the district administration.' District magistrate, Abhishek Ruhela, who held a press conference on Wednesday along with SP Arpan Yaduvanshi, said, "Police and administration understand sentiments of both sides and we assure to resolve the issues as per law.

People are requested to avoid spreading rumours." Meanwhile, some of the shopkeepers belonging to the minority community, who had shut their shops since communal tension started simmering in Purola on May 27, said they will open their establishments on June 20, as they "can't live in fear for long"."At least two of us (shopkeepers) have decided to open our shops by June 20.

If anything unfortunate happens, we will accept it as our fate, as we can't live in fear like this for long.

We have to earn, as we have families to feed," one of the shopkeepers told TOI."We welcome the step by the administration to not allow the mahapanchayat.

Now, there seems to be hope of peace.

We hope this matter will die down and we continue to live together in harmony and earn our living like we have for over three decades," he added.On Tuesday, after key organiser of the proposed mahapanchayat, Gram Pradhan Sangathan, withdrew chairmanship of the event, right-wing outfits like Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan declared they will still go ahead with the event, terming it "a protest against love jihad".Anuj Waliya, state president of Bajrang Dal, also reached the town and held a meeting with local members.

He later alleged that they will "organise the mahapanchayat in Purola on the scheduled date at any cost".

Purola sub-divisional magistrate Devanand Sharma said, "We've deployed additional forces to ensure nobody violates section 144.

On Wednesday evening, we held a meeting with the representatives of the Purola traders' association, members of the minority communit.

We will ensu re peace is not disturbed." State DGP Ashok Kumar said, "Police will strictly implement section 144.

Nobody will be allowed to take the law in their hands."Amid the imposition of Sec 144 in Purola tehsil, Hindu right-wing outfits in a joint statement on late Wednesday night announced that they have postponed the June 15 Mahapanchayat for an indefinite period citing the “oppressive policies of the district administration.”