The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Uneasy calm in old city

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Friday, Oct 01, 2010
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Uneasy calm in old city

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: Life was as hectic as it used to be everyday till afternoon in the old city of Hyderabad with hawkers occupying footpaths and bazaars bustling with activity and traffic moving slowly. But as the deadline for announcing Allahabad High Court verdict came closer, an uneasy calm enveloped the area and traffic thinned on trunk routes. It was the sudden and forcible closure of shops by police contingents patrolling the roads that added to the tense atmosphere.

Some shop-owners and hoteliers tried to question the police action, but could not as the latter were in no mood to listen. Except medical shops, no business establishment -not even roadside tea stalls - were allowed to be open. By 2 p.m., main roads and Falaknuma rytu bazaar witnessed situation akin to curfew relaxation periods as people thronged shops making last-minute purchases. “It felt as if something had gone terribly wrong on seeing policemen sending civilians away from markets. Later, I came to know that it was intended to prevent any gathering of people on roads,” Shekhar of Lal Darwaza said.

The main road from Charminar to Falaknuma and other stretches were patrolled without any let up. Each stretch was assigned to an ACP rank officer who was accompanied by armed platoons. As news spread about announcement of the verdict, police initially blocked traffic towards Madina and Charminar, but restored normalcy after some time.

As no untoward incident was reported till night, police began gearing up for the noon prayers on Friday persuading local leaders to offer prayers at local mosques.

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Andhra Pradesh