Curfew in old city, 1 stabbed to death

The police clamped indefinite curfew in 17 police station limits of the old city from 7 pm on Monday as a safety measure after two days of violence.

One person was killed and two were stabbed on Monday, after which the police took the decision to impose curfew for the first time after December 2003.

The commissioner of police, Mr A.K. Khan, said, “when curfew is in vogue, no one should come out of their houses.”

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, that prohibits assembly of more than five persons, was imposed vogue in Asifnagar, Goshamahal and in Cyberabad. All processions have been banned in Cyberabad. Section 144 also prohibits carrying of arms, lathis, sticks and other instruments that can be used as weapons

Mr Khan said curfew was imposed after incidents of stabbing were reported from two to three places. “As communal elements are taking over the situation we had no option,” Mr Khan said.

“These communal elements don’t have value for life. We don’t want to take chances as there are likely to be processions for the festival,” he said.

The areas placed under curfew are under the jurisdisction of the following police stations: Charminar, Hussaini Alam, Kamatipura, Kalapattar, Bahadurpura, Falaknuma, Chandrayanagutta, Chatrinaka, Shah Ali Banda Mir Chowk Reinbazar, Moghalpura, Dabeerpura, Santoshnagar, Madannapet, Kanchanbagh and Bhavaninagar.

Section 144 has been imposed in the police station limits of Asifnagar, Begum Bazar, Goshamahal of Hyderabad. The Cyberabad under Section 144 include LB Nagar, Kukatpally, A.S. Rao Nagar, Moula Ali, Malkajgiri, Pahadishareef and areas on the outskirts.

The sudden announcement of curfew sent people scrambling to reach home in time, wihile others headed out to buy essentials.

The Centre is rushing 2,300 paramilitary personnel to the city. Four companies, or about 500 personnel, of the Border Security Force are to be airlifted later in the night from the capital and sent to the city to assist the local police.

About 400 Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel have already reached the city, another 400 RAF personnel are being airlifted from Ahmedabad and Coimbatore. The Centre will also send 700 CRPF and 300 CISF personnel to Hyderabad.

Earlier, an employee of a cash chest company was stabbed to death in the old city by miscreants on Monday afternoon.

At least 80 persons who were injured in multiple incidents were admitted to Osmania General Hospital. Rioters looted houses and burnt vehicles and the police ordered curfew after following a high-level decision taken by the state government. In some places, rioters threw petrol bombs on the police and hurled stones from atop buildings.

Trouble began on Saturday night when two groups clashed over tying of flags in Moosa Bowli area. Heavy stone hurling was reported at Hussaini Alam, Aliyabad, Lal Darwaza, Shamshergunj, Shah Ali Banda and Moghulpura. Groups of people wielding sticks and stones clashed on the streets and looted houses.

At least 20 rioters were taken into custody by the police. Most of the shops were closed around the Charminar and the main road from Charminar to Falaknuma was littered with stones.

Emergency

Main Police Control Room 100, Landline: 23261166, 27852333
South Zone Police Control Room 27854779, 9490616551