Old City Tense After MIM Leaders' Arrest

Tension prevailed in the Old City of Hyderabad on Sunday, following the arrest of MIM MLAs by the City Police when they objected to the expansion of Bhagyalakshmi Temple abutting Charminar.

Led by MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, a group of people staged a protest near Charminar, objecting to the resumption of construction at Bhagyalakshmi Temple. Owaisi alleged that despite the Andhra Pradesh High Court ordering status quo at the temple, expansion works were being taken up under the supervision of the City Police. He demanded that the police implement the High Court's orders.

However, the police tried in vain to convince the MIM leaders to leave the spot. Following heated arguments, the police arrested five MLAs - Akbaruddin Owaisi, Mumtaz Ahmed Khan, Ahmed Balala, Ahmed Pasha Quadri and Maozam Khan - and shifted them to the Bolarum police station.

Two other MLAs - Virasat Rasool Khan and Muqteda Afsar Khan - were also arrested when they were proceeding towards Charminar. The police also arrested MIM MLC Altaf Hyder Rizvi.

Following the MIM leaders' arrest, the party workers, led by the corporators, staged protests at different places in the city, demanding the release of Akbaruddin Owaisi and other leaders. However, the police foiled the protests, and they, too, were taken into custody.

Incidents of sporadic stone-pelting and minor damage to public and private property were reported from different parts of Hyderabad. All the markets in the Old City remained closed on Sunday, and most roads there wore a curfew-like look. Barricades and barbed fencing were erected on all routes leading to Charminar.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma appealed to people to maintain peace and not to "believe the rumours". He said that the police would implement the court's orders. He said that patrolling has been intensified in communally sensitive areas.

Also, besides the regular force, several platoons of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed at various places, he stated. (INN)