The Hindu : Front Page : Curfew lifted completely

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 11, 2010
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Curfew lifted completely

Staff Reporter

Old city residents relieved; business as usual at Charminar

— Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

GOOD TIMES: Peace returns to old city

HYDERABAD: Curfew has been lifted completely in old city of Hyderabad from Saturday night, after it was clamped in 17 police stations on March 29 following outbreak of communal riots.

However, the prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more persons would be in force in entire city. Pillion riding on two-wheelers too is not permitted from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Police pickets and deployment of additional contingents, including para-military forces, would be continued till prohibitory orders are lifted. “We don't foresee any problem as of now and thank every section of society for co-operating with us in restoring normality,” South Zone DCP N. Madhusudhan Reddy said.

With hawkers, push-cart vendors and small roadside eateries back on roads, it was business as usual in and around Charminar. Though rumours about stabbing did the rounds in the morning, eventually people realised they were just rumours. Notwithstanding conspicuous presence of armed policemen at strategic points, youngsters gathered at hotels and junctions. A teenager heading for school on his bicycle from Meekalabanda to Tadbun was allegedly attacked by an unidentified youth with knife in Shahalibanda police station area around 9 a.m.

The local police made it clear it was not communal incident and are on the look-out for the accused.

“Total lifting of curfew is a great relief after being forced to be confined to homes for past 13 days. We can resume social life meeting friends and attending marriages,” a relaxed resident of Gowlipura, Mahender, said. Many families, who were contemplating changing night marriage muhurats to daytime because of uncertainty over curfew, heaved a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, special police teams continued the hunt for the accused in communal clash cases with the help of local police.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page