8 hurt in fresh Hyderabad violence

At least eight persons including two cops were injured in stone-pelting incidents during a Hanuman Jayanti procession as communal clashes spread to new areas in curfew-clamped old city.

Shopkeepers shut down shutters as a precautionary measures in Ramagopalpet, Nallagutta, and Saleemnagar and Tarnaka as clashes spread to new areas in the Central Zone, police said.

Trouble started in Musheerabad area when a procession, taken out by VHP and Bajrang Dal workers holding saffron flags, was passing through Musheerabad area, police said.

Two groups belonging to different communities indulged in stone-pelting and miscreants set afire three vehicles in the area. However, police immediately swung into action and brought the situation under control. The police used tear gas shells and baton charged to quell the mob.

Tension also prevailed at Bholakpur and Kavadiguda areas. City Police Commissioner A K Khan immediately visited the Musheerabad and surrounding areas and additional forces have been deployed in the locality.

Shops in Gaddiannaram, Mangalhat, Puranapul, Boiguda Kaman were also shut down as speculation spread that trouble-makers tried to attack a place of worship at Kagazguda. One person died and 80 others injured in communal clashes in the city since Saturday.

Trouble began in Musarambagh area under Hussaini Alam police station limits when members of a community wanted to erect religious flags near a place of worship which was objected to by the other community, leading to clashes which escalated on Sunday and spread to other parts.

Curfew was imposed last evening in 17 police station areas of South Zone after fresh violence erupted in Moghalpura, Shalibanda, Charminar, Aliabad, Falaknuma, Shamsheergunj and Lal Darwaja localities.

"We have intensified patrolling in lanes and by-lanes in curfew-affected areas where communal clashes took place during the last three days," Khan said.

Due to curfew, 10th class examinations in 140 centres in South Zone area have been postponed, South Zone DCP Madhusudhan Reddy said.

Osmania University authorities, meanwhile, announced that the degree examination scheduled to be held from tomorrow has been postponed to April 7.

The Centre has rushed 1,800 paramilitary personnel to restore peace in the sensitive areas.