Teesta Links Old City Violence To 2014 Polls

Noted civil rights activist Teesta Setalvad on Saturday expressed concern over the rising incidents of communal violence across the country.

Addressing a seminar organised by an organisation called Awaaz at Madina Education Centre, Nampally, Teesta Setalvad said that some communal groups have become active to terrorise, kill and damage the economy of Muslims, Christians and Dalits across the country. She alleged that some bureaucrats and officials were also supporting communalism in the country.

Teesta alleged that the incidents of violence were nothing but a prelude to the run-up for the 2014 elections. She said that some communal parties were trying to secure votes by using violence as a tool. Stating that the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi was the first act of terror in the country, she appealed to the people to understand the conspiracies behind such violence. She said that the communal forces in the country could be defeated if all minorities and Dalits joined hands.

TDP politburo member and Siasat Daily Editor Zahed Ali Khan said that Friday's violence in the Old City was the result of the failure of police machinery and the state government. He asked the people to differentiate between their well-wishers and enemies. He also requested Teesta Stelvad to render her services to the victims of police atrocities in the city.

In his presidential address, former MP P Madhu alleged that the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen was responsible for the recent communal disturbances in the Old City as it has been trying to execute its hidden agenda. He said that the MIM was trying to pressurise the state government for some personal gains by inciting violence. He condemned the efforts being made by some forces to give communal shades to the peaceful atmosphere in the city.

Madhu also alleged that Friday's violence has exposed the communal face of the Hyderabad City Police and its officials. He said that the police did not act in an impartial manner in the entire episode. He assured that the Left parties would make all efforts to contain the communal forces in the city. (INN)