Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

Was failure to check crowd at Charminar a mistake?

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: As the situation returned to normal in the old city, the police and people debated if the failure to check an irate crowd from surging towards Gulzar Houz led to violence on Friday.

The areas in and around Charminar witnessed violence many times in recent past but for the first time the mobs crossed Charminar police station.

Whenever people assembled near Charminar to mark their protest, police made it a point not to allow them beyond Charminar.

Since a large number of people began to gather in front of the Mecca Masjid protest against the publication of cartoons on the Prophet, the police deployed large contingents in and around Charminar to meet any eventuality.

After noon prayers, the demonstrators tried to surge forward but police thwarted their attempts by forming a chain.

As one group tried to rush towards Sardar Mahal road, police teams moved towards them leaving the flank almost open. While the police managed to prevent the mob moving towards Sardar Mahal road, the crowds spilled towards Gulzar House pushing past a weak line of defence.

Owners of shops and business establishments targeted by the violent mob said police knew about the large gathering of agitators and posted huge contingents. They asked if failure to allow such mobs despite having additional forces was not a mistake. Commissioner of Police A.K. Mohanty also reportedly expressed displeasure over handling of the situation.

Strange predicament

It may sound strange but the police had to take the help of Transco, Municipal and revenue officials to ensure that the violence did not escalate in the night. "Earlier, mischief mongers created trouble in the night by attacking electric transformers. Hence, we kept AP Transco workers ready to restore power supply immediately if they adopted similar strategies again," a police officer said.

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