MIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi Attacked

In a sensational shoot-out, Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) leader and Chandrayangutta MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi was stabbed and then fired at this morning when he was undertaking a padayatra in the Barkas area of the old city.

The MLA was rushed to the Owaisi Hospital in Santoshnagar, around 1.5km from the place of attack. Doctors have removed 3 of the 4 bullets at the time of this writing, and his condition is stated to be out of danger. Bullets entered his shoulder and chest.

3 others are reported to have been injured, including the Malakpet MLA Ahmed Bin Abdullah Balala, whose injuries (on his hand) were relatively minor, and the Barkas corporator Mansoor bin Mohammed Awaqui.

The police reported that the MLA was attacked by 15 persons as he was getting out of his vehicle near Marhaba Hotel in Chandrayngutta. Accompanying him were the Malakpet MLA, the local corporator, his driver and his gunman.

Owaisi was apparently first stabbed by a group of 15 miscreants before being shot at 5 times (4 bullets entered his body). The suspect is former MBT (Majlis Bachao Tehreek) party worker Mohammed Pehalwaan, who has been involved in altercations with Owaisi in the past, and who has an ongoing dispute involving some government graveyard land in Barkas with Owaisi.

Owaisi's gunman fired at Irfan, the brother-in-law of Pehelwaan. Ibrahim died later at Yashoda Hospital. The condition of 2 other supporters of Pehelwaan is said to be critical.

Pehelwaan himself is on the run, and the police are looking for him. The police have arrested 4 persons so far.

Pehelwan had apparently warned Owaisi not to campaign in the Barkas area, since the majority of the muslim population there consists of Arab muslims who Pehelwaan says are against Owaisi.

The MBT has distanced itself from the incident.

The Old City is expectedly on a boil. MIM workers went on a rampage in Asif Baba Nagar of Chandrayanagutta, damaging buses and other vehicles. MIM supporters and party workers have congregated in huge numbers at the Owaisi Hospital, and there is tension since they are not being allowed into the hospital.

Top police officials are huddled in meetings to prepare for the expected ramifications. 20,000 police troops have been amassed, and all police on leave have been asked to report for duty. Section 144 has been imposed in the Old City, and a red alert has been sounded across the city. Most shops in the Old City have been closed.

Akbaruddin Owaisi's elder brother Asaduddin Owaisi is rushing back from Delhi. The Deputy Speaker and the Home Minister have visited the Owaisi Hopsital to commiserate with the family. Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy is expected to visit the hospital shortly.

The MIM is the largest party representing muslims in AP. It has virtually ruled the Old City ever since independence, with Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi graduating to become the MP of Hyderabad. His death led to his elder son Asaduddin turning Hyderabad MP, and younger son Akbaruddin turning MLA.

MIM legislators have so far moved freely in the Old City, with minimal security. The family was untouchable.

Things are likely to be different now, in a lot of ways.