Tension in Hyderabad Old City on Babri Masjid demolition anniversary, 7 hurt in stone pelting

Hyderabad: Barring one incident of stone pelting near Mecca Masjid, the 21st anniversary of demolition of Babri Masjid went off peacefully across Andhra Pradesh on Friday.

In view of 'Black Day' coinciding with Friday prayers, the City Police made elaborate security arrangements, especially near the places of worships. However, the situation turned tense near Mecca Masjid after prayers when a group of youngsters started pelting on the security personnel.

Seven persons including two policemen and one official of Fire Services were injured in stone pelting. The condition of all the injured persons is said to be stable.

Trouble began when a group of youngsters were stopped from going towards Mecca Masjid after Friday prayers. They began shouting slogans and rushed towards Moghalpura Fire Station road and started pelting stones at the police personnel. The stone pelting continued for about five minutes forcing the Task Force personnel to resort to lathicharge.

Two policemen, who were on picket duty at Khaja ka Chilla in Moghalpura were injured when the mob pelted stones on them. A fire officer of Moghalpura Fire Station, Mohd Jabbar, received injuries when the mob targeted a fire tender stationed there. The mob also damaged two police vehicles.

The injured included Venkatesh, 60, a railway employee, and Bharat Raj, a resident of Kandikalgate.

However, things took a dramatic turn after one of youth who was pelting stone was caught by GHMC Corporator Mohd Ghouse. He was identified as Vijay Kumar, a member of the Maitri Committee. He was clad in a black shirt and was wearing a religious symbol of Muslim community on his neck.

Earlier, as many as 26 activists of Darsgah-e-Jihad-O-Shahadat were arrested by the City Police when they held protests to mark the anniversary.

The activists including DJP President and General Secretary were taken into custody after they burnt the effigy of Sangh Parivar near their office at Moghalpura on Friday morning. They also raised slogans demanding action against those responsible for the demolition of mosque and reconstruction of Babri Masjid at the same site in Ayodhya.

Addressing a press conference later, DJS Secretary Ahmed Mohiuddin Shareef condemned the arrest of DJS activists who were protesting peacefully.

Charminar MLA Ahmed Pasha Quadri later lodged a complaint with the Moghalpura police alleging that some miscreant indulged in stone pelting after mingling with Muslim youth after Friday prayers.

Meanwhile, the Black Day call given by various Muslim organisations to mark the 21st anniversary of demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya passed off peacefully across the state on Thursday.

However, the Andhra Pradesh Bandh call evoked mixed response in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunerabad, although the bandh was total in the Old City. Shops and business establishments in almost all areas remained closed and a majority of educational institutions too declared a holiday on Friday.

All the markets around Charminar remained closed and even the lanes and by-lanes in the Old City wore a deserted look till afternoon. Elaborate security arrangements were made in the Old City and paramilitary forces were deployed in the sensitive areas. The roads leading towards Charminar were closed for the general traffic.

Barricades and barbed wires were erected at Panch Mohalla, Gulzar Houz, Moti Galli and Sardar Mahal.