Police Firing Kills 3 In Old City Communal Clashes

At least 3 persons were killed in police firing and many were injured, in communal clashes between 2 groups of minority communities in Sikh Chowni of Kishan Bagh in the Rajendranagar police limits on Wednesday.

Trouble began after members of a minority community attacked the houses and shops belonging to another minority community following rumours of desecration of a religious flag.

Armed with swords and other lethal weapons, the miscreants burnt several houses and shops, and injured at least 8 persons. Some local residents alleged that the rioters resorted to violence in the presence of police personnel.

The security personnel tried in vain to control the clashing mobs. The police then opened fire on one group, killing 3 persons and injuring 6 others. However, they are yet to come out with the official figures of those killed and injured in the firing and other acts of violence.

The injured have been taken to different hospitals in the city for treatment.

Cyberabad Police Commissioner C V Anand said that the situation had been brought under control. He said that prohibitory orders had been imposed in Rajendranagar and the surrounding areas. Additional forces have been despatched to the Kishan Bagh area while pickets have been deployed at all sensitive locations. The Rapid Action Force and other para-military forces have intensified patrolling in the troubled areas.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma visited the troubled areas, and told media persons that prohibitory orders had been imposed in sensitive areas of the Old City as a precautionary measure. Patrolling has been intensified in all the sensitive areas of the city.

Senior police officials have requested people not to believe rumours, and to help the police in restoring peace. However, some miscreants and rumour mongers have become active on social media networks, and many of them have posted provocative and objectionable content to incite religious feelings. Police officials said that stern action would be taken against all those who incite violence and hatred. (INN)