Nervous city awaits Babri verdict

With the Allahabad High Court set to deliver its verdict on title deed of Ayodhya on Thursday, the city police tightened patrolling to prevent untoward incidents and to maintain law and order.

According to police, as a precautionary measure, the city police took into custody 400 rowdy-sheeters, who have been suspected of being involved in communal rabble-rousing in the past.

City police commissioner A K Khan stated that additional forces have been deployed at 250 sensitive places in the city. CCTV cameras have been installed at sensitive areas to record the incidents, he stated.

Mr Khan called upon people not to believe rumours and inform police about such persons who resort to spread canards.

He also appealed to all sections of people to be calm and observe restraint in the aftermath of the verdict court on the Babri title deed. The police chief also asked people to respect the court verdict and take it in a right spirit.

Meanwhile, business establishments, banks, schools, colleges and theatres downed their shutters after 11:30 AM following the advice of police. The IT firms have declared holiday for their employees.

Even religious heads convened peace committee meetings and appealed to people to observe calm and restraint.

Earlier, Home Minister P Sabitha Indra Reddy convened a review meeting on security arrangements in the city with her department officials.

In the meeting, she reportedly asked police to act tough against those who resort to violence besides anti-social and communal elements. 

The police conducted flag march at Charminar to instill confidence among people.

A bandh like situation prevailed in Madannapet, Saidabad, Shah Ali Banda, Moghulpura, Madina Building, Charminar, Misrigunj, Fateh Darwaza, Jahanuma, Chandrayangutta, Vattepalli, Bahadurpura, Kishanbagh, Karvan, Asifnagar, Mallepally, Jhirra, Vijayanagar colony, Habeebnagar, Muradnagar, AC Guards, First Lancer, Bazaar Ghat, Shanthinagar, Ring Road, Tolichowki, Golkonda, Langar Houz, Mangoud Basti, Abids, Koti, Begum Bazaar, Nampally, Sultan Bazaar, Esamia bazaar, Dilsukhnagar, Malakpet and Moosarambagh areas.

Apart from 20,000 civil police forces, 5,000 Special police force, CRPF, and Rapid Action force teams have been placed to maintain law and order.