Hyderabad: Curfew relaxed for two hours

HYDERABAD - Curfew was relaxed in areas around the Charminar in old Hyderabad on Thursday for two hours to allow people to buy essential commodities.

This is the first time that curfew was relaxed since it was imposed for an indefinite period on Monday evening following communal clashes.

Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah and Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu appealed to the people to observe discipline following reports of fresh clashes.

It has been reported that at least eight persons, including two cops were injured as protestors’ pelted stones during a Hanuman Jayanti procession that led to communal clashes in new areas of the city.

Meanwhile, the Central Government has deployed over 1800 troops in sensitive areas to maintain law and order.

Over 130 persons, suspected to be involved in communal clashes, have been taken into custody so far, police said.

The Andhra Pradesh Government on Monday had ordered the 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.

The Strife started in the Moosa Bowli area when the majority Hindu community reportedly removed green flags installed by and installed saffron ones during a recent festival.

The heated exchanges later snowballed into clashes between both groups. (ANI)