Uneasy calm in Kishanbagh; Guv orders magisterial probe

Uneasy calm prevailed in violence-hit areas of Kishanbagh in Old city here where curfew continued to be in force today even as the State Governor ordered a magisterial inquiry into the police firing that left three persons dead.
Police rounded up about 50 persons for questioning in connection with yesterday's rioting in Sikh Chavani and Arsh Mahal areas sparked by alleged burning of a religious flag, leading to clamping of curfew under Rajendranagar police station limits.
Seventeen people, including policemen, were injured after members of two communities indulged in heavy stone pelting, damaging of houses and vehicles and arson in some parts of the two areas.

"Ten cases have been booked under relevant sections of IPC and Arms Act. The curfew will be in force till 10 AM on Saturday. Situation is peaceful and under control. No untoward incidents have been reported today," Cyberabad Joint Commissioner of Police Y Gangadhar told PTI.
Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan, who reviewed the situation with senior cops, also announced sanctioning of an ex-gratia of Rs six lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to those injured, besides free medical treatment to them.
Narasimhan also said compensation should be paid to the victims, who lost property in the clashes, as per set norms.

A section of the affected people today demanded erection of a boundary wall between the two areas while people on the other side sought setting up a permanent police picket in their area to address safety concerns.
Explaining the significance of the hillock area which housed the flag-post, Harbhajan Singh, an elderly resident, said this area witnesses large congregation of community members from across Hyderabad during Dasara and Holi festivals.
He said similar clashes had taken place a decade ago over burning of religious flag in the same area.