Shutdown in parts of Hyderabad to mark Babri anniversary

A shutdown was observed in parts of Hyderabad Saturday on a call given by some Muslim groups to mark the 22nd anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid.

Shops, business establishments and educational institutions were closed and vehicles were off the roads in the old city and other Muslim-majority areas as police stepped up security to prevent any untoward incident.

The usual hustle bustle around historic Charminar was missing while the roads in the centuries-old markets wore a deserted look. Shops downed the shutters in response to the shutdown call given by the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) and other groups.

Police said the situation was peaceful. Large number of policemen and personnel from paramilitary forces were deployed near historic Makkah Masjid. A tight vigil is being maintained across the old city as the attempts to take out rallies by some organisations and also celebration of Vijay Diwas by some others led to violence in the past.

Police have banned rallies, meetings, rallies, processions and dharnas in the limits of both Hyderabad and Cyerabad police commissionerates to maintain peace and harmony.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner M. Mahender Reddy said the orders were issued in view of reliable information that certain groups are trying to create disturbances affecting public peace and order and inciting communal animosity between different communities.

Black flags were hoisted at many places in the old city as Muslim groups have called for observing black day.

A shutdown is also being observed in Nampally, Mehdipatnam, Asif Nagar, Toli Chowki, Golconda and other areas of the city.

Muslims also participated in the shutdown in Nalgonda, Mahabubnagar, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and other towns in Telangana.

Police have sounded the alert across the state in view of the shutdown call.