Two companies of riot policemen and four Police Control Room vans are still patrolling the area to ward off any untoward incident. And senior police officials along with elders from the area are holding meetings with residents to ease the tension.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North-East) Muktesh Chander said: ``The situation is fully under control and the area is limping back to normalcy.''Several persons, including three policemen, were injured in the incident. None of them, however, sustained serious injuries. And except for one, all the 39 persons who were rounded up in connection with the clashes have been released on bail. The police are still looking for Bittu, suspected to be the leader of one of the groups.

Senior police officials today said the clashes could have been worse if a small group of policemen led by Additional SHO (Welcome Colony) Krishan Lal had not intervened in time. Krishan Lal and a PCR head constable Vinod Kumar have been awarded the Aasadharan Karya Pursakar. Three others ASI Sunhera Singh, and constables Knawar Pal and Ram Kumar will receive commendation certificates and Rs 1,000 each.

Special Commissioner of Police (security and operations) R.S. Gupta said by firing 19 rounds in the air, the policemen on duty were able to bring the situation under control.