Security tightened for prayers

The city police, which is on high alert, has deployed additional 10 companies of paramilitary forces to ensure smooth conduct of Friday prayers in the curfew-bound areas, particularly Macca Masjid.
There was uncertainty on whether any mass gathering would be allowed for prayers in Macca Masjid.
While police wanted prayers to be held in local mosques, the Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen, the decisive political force in old city, and other Muslim organisations demanded that the curfew be relaxed during prayer hours.
However, a meeting held by the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, on Thursday decided not to relax curfew but asked police to make arrangements for prayers in consultation with religious leaders.
Sources said the police would continue to persuade people to hold prayers in their respective local mosques to minimise crowding at Macca Masjid. Cops will also cordon off the area and use fencing to regulate movement near Charminar.
Sources said the CM spoke with the MIM leaders, Mr Asaduddin Owaisi and Mr Akbaruddin Owaisi, and appealed to them to cooperate with the police. They suggested to relax curfew and felt that restrictions will lead to confrontation.