LAHORE: No Muslim having a beard and no Muslim woman wearing a burqa can move about safely or travelin trains in the town of Bhagalpur or its vicinity, according to Indian Press reports.

Last month Bhagalpur was the scene of antiMuslim rioting and a number of Muslims were killed and Muslim houses looted and burnt. The Daily `Sangam`, of Patna, reports that the communal situation in Bhagalpur is still very tense.

During Ramazan, Muslims found it difficult to offer Taravih prayers owing to the curfew imposed for some days and the prevailing tense situation. A train was stopped at the outer signal in Bhagalpur late last month and three Muslims were dragged out and killed with knives. The bodies of the deceased were thrown out of the compartment and the railway police did nothing, `Sangam` said.

All Muslim shop owners have erased the English name plates outside their shops. Those who had refused to do so were beaten up.

Hardly any relief measures have been taken for the Muslims who suf fered in the riots. Police guards have been posted outside Muslim Mohallas but the Hindu fanatics continue to threaten Muslims. Hindu hooligans, who killed Muslims in Bhagalpur and looted their houses, have not been punished so f ar. Agencies