Old City fast returning to normal: Sabitha

Home Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy who visited the Old City on Monday appealed to the people to join hands with the police in restoring normalcy to the city. She visited the places which witnessed clashes between the two groups of people on on Saturday and Sunday.

The Minister also visited sensitive areas in the Old City like Moosa Bowli, Hussaini Alam, Purana Pul and Begum Bazar where the Paramilitary Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel and state police forces were deployed.

After her visit, the Minister said the situation in the Old City is now well under control and  instructed the police force to keep an eye on the movement of anti-social elements who try to disrupt normal life. ``The Old City is fast returning to normal,’’ added Sabita.

What started as a minor dispute between two groups of people has turned into a big communal flare-up in Hyderabad in the last two decades, leaving at least 40 people injured.

The communal clashes, which started on Saturday night in Musa Bowli area of Old City, spread to several areas including Begum Bazar, Shamshergunj, Shah Ali Banda, Jahan Numa, Gowliguda and Naya Pul with protestors, armed with sticks and stones, targeting vehicles and places of worship.

"We have so far arrested 70 people and more arrests are being made," Hyderabad city Police Commissioner A K Khan said.

Chief Minister K Rosaiah, who reviewed the situation with the Home Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy, Director General of Police RR Girish Kumar and other officials, appealed to the people to cooperate with the Government and the police in restoring peace in the city.