Old City remains tense

The police on Monday clamped curfew in 17 police station limits from 7 pm following continued violence in Old City in which one person died, 80 injured and scores of vehicles were damaged.

The area also witnessed arson and loot including of a vehicle that refills ATMs. However, it is not clear how much money was looted from the vehicle. Heavy stone pelting was witnessed in Shalibanda, Lal Darwaza, Gowlipura and adjoining areas.

The situation remained tense as violence spread to new areas. The agitators forced businesses in Old City to down their shutters.

It all began Saturday midnight after a group tried to replace flags of a different community with its own. The police have taken about 70 people into custody.

Chief minister K Rosaiah told the Assembly today that the government was taking all steps to ensure the violence did not spread. He said the situation in Old City was being reviewed constantly and additional forces from Delhi had been rushed to the city. He urged all political parties to work together to ensure that the situation did not escalate.

Earlier, home minister P Sabitha Reddy toured the violence-affected parts of the city and urged the people to cooperate in restoring peace.

Traffic movement on Sunday was hit as agitated crowd went berserk attacking passersby and private vehicles. A cowshed was also set ablaze by irate mobs and several places of worship were targeted.

The police lobbed teargas shells to control the crowds. The Rapid Action Force has also been deployed in Old City. Police commissioner AK Khan said the violence looked planned and organised.