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 Violence breaks out in old Hyderabad again
Violence
broke out once again near Charminar in the old city of Hyderabad
Friday over a temple row. At least seven people were injured in
stone pelting by an unruly
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Hyderabad: The old city of Hyderabad remained tense
Friday after a fresh bout of violence near Charminar, which left
injured 10 people, among them five policemen.
A curfew-like situation settled in the usually busy markets as
police sealed all routes leading to the iconic monument.
Streets in the surrounding areas wore a deserted look as fear
gripped people following the violent incidents in the afternoon.
The Charminar area was rocked by violence after Friday prayers,
breaking the fragile peace that was returning to the commercial
hub after days of tension over a temple abutting the monument.
As many as 10 people, including five policemen, were injured in
stone throwing by an unruly mob and baton charge and bursting of
teargas shells by police.
Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma said around 2,000 people, who
came out from the historic Mecca Masjid after Friday prayers,
pelted stones on policemen deployed near Charminar and its
surrounding areas.
The mobs set afire five four-wheelers and five two-wheelers at
Pathargatti, Mitti Ka Sher, Kali Kaman, Esra Hospital and near
Charminar police station.
The police chief said the mobs also resorted to stone throwing in
Khilwath, Laad Bazar, Machli Kaman, Rein Bazar and Yakhuthpura
Railway Station. He described the situation as tense but under
control.
Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy told reporters that the situation
in the old city was under control.
"Additional forces were mobilised and if necessary, more forces
will be deployed," she said while appealing to people to cooperate
to maintain peace.
The communal tension during the last few days has crippled
economic activity, severely affecting the traders in the
centuries-old markets.
The Charminar area, famous for pearls, bangles, clothes and the
eateries, is the main commercial hub and lifeline of old city, the
region to the south of Musi river.
Member of Parliament from Hyderabad and Majlis-e-Ittehadul
Muslimeen (MIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi, who visited Mecca
Masjid in the evening, blamed Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy for
the violence.
He accused police of committing excesses and demanded immediate
release of innocent Muslim youths.
The communally sensitive old city had been witnessing sporadic
incidents of violence for the last two weeks following a row over
the Bhagylakshmi temple abutting Charminar.
Muslim groups have been opposing attempts to expand the temple on
the ground that it was illegal and had marred the beauty of the
around 400-year-old monument.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court Nov 5 had ordered status quo as on
Oct 30.
However, erection of a canopy over the temple structure, in
alleged violation of the court orders last Sunday, triggered
violent protests.
The government claimed that it was allowed only to implement court
orders.
Accusing the Congress government of colluding with communal
elements, the MIM withdrew support to the government.
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