Police Commissioner A K Khan patrols curfew areas by foot, CCTV cameras footage of riots being used for investigation
Friday prayers in the old city went unperturbed with most Muslims praying at home, as per the request of the police authorities of Hyderabad and various religious heads.
The police authorites seemed to have displayed control over the situation, with no events reported throughout the day. The old city in general, though deserted, seemed entirely peaceful.
Hyderabad Commissioner of Police, A K Khan, patrolled 5 km by foot all residential areas and religious places of worship of Hindus and Muslims. Expressing his pleasure at the seemingly controlled environment, he said that the curfew will be relaxed for a longer duration Saturday.
Over 20,000 passes have been issued so far in the curfew affected areas, for employees of the media, the government and emergency services. Closed circuit cameras capturing every moment have been set up in Charminar and Mecca Masjid.
Various other cameras, which were set up all over the old city throughout the riot period, have reportedly captured all those involved in the riots. The Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy, echoing the views of the Commisioner of Police, said the miscreants will be identified and serious action will be taken against them. According to A K Khan, 130 people have so far been arrested in connection with 67 cases of rioting. The arrests were made for attacks on places of worship, arson, looting and damage to public and private property.
The police have also launched a high profile manhunt for M Vaikuntam (Karnataka) and Raju Singh (Maharashtra) who, alleged to be involved in the riots, are absconding.
Vaikuntam, a Telugu Desam corporator and a Bharatiya Janata Party corporator, was suspected of being involved in the trouble in Begum Bazar area during Bajrang Dal's procession on Tuesday, when violence spread to new city areas and curfew had to be imposed.
Singh, a member of Hindu Vahini and other similar organisations, was involved in the first incident of violence at Moosa Bowli on Saturday night.
Residents of the old city, in wake of the unpredictability of curfew ending, are relocating themselves to friends' and relatives' homes, some even leaving the state itself. Daily wagers suffered a setback as well during the entire curfew period. Around 30 NGOs are said to have reached the Old city in a bid to save people from hunger and other requirements.