Rosaiah, Chandrababu Naidu appeal for peace in curfew tensed Hyderabad
By ANIWednesday, March 31, 2010
HYDERABAD - Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah and Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu have appealed to the people to observe discipline following reports of fresh clashes between the two communities in the old city of Hyderabad.
Director General of Police (DGP) Girish Kumar said an indefinite curfew has been imposed in the entire south zone area of the city.
It has been reported that at least eight persons including two cops were injured as the protestors’ pelted stones during a Hanuman Jayanti procession that led to communal clashes in the new areas of the city.
The curfew was imposed till 6 p.m. on Tuesday and as a precautionary measure all the shops in Ramagopalpet, Nallagutta, Saleemnagar and Tarnaka were closed down.
Meanwhile, the Central Government has rushed in over 1800 troops in the sensitive areas to maintain law and order and restore peace.
Over 130 persons, suspected to be involved in the communal clashes, have been taken into custody so far, police added.
The Andhra Pradesh Government on Monday ordered deployment of additional security forces in old Hyderabad city where tension prevails; following overnight clashes between the two communities.
The Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the state police were earlier deployed in Moosa Bowli, Hussaini Alam, Purana Pul, Begum Bazar, and nearby areas to restore peace following incidents of stone-pelting and assault on religious places, houses, shops and vehicles.
Strife started in Moosa Bowli area when the majority community reportedly removed green flags installed by members of the other community and installed saffron ones, instead, during a recent festival.
The heated exchanges snowballed into clashes between the two groups.
Meanwhile, Class 10 board examinations in around 140 centres have been postponed following the incidents of communal violence.
Osmania University authorities have also announced that the degree examination that was scheduled to begin on Wednesday will start from April 7. (ANI)
