Some sections of muslim community took to the streets in protest against the Iraq bombings, keeping the police on tenterhooks.
HYDERABAD: Friday prayers passed off peacefully in the Old City as police kept tight vigil near Mecca Masjid and all roads leading to Charminar. The city police deployed a large number of personnel, including RAF, APSP and the task force, to ensure that no untoward incident takes place. Some sections of the Muslim community had taken to the streets on Thursday in protest against the Iraq bombings, keeping the police on tenterhooks.
To prevent a repetition of the same, the police made arrangements to deal with any eventuality. Police personnel mounted on horse back patrolled the area, while barbed wire fences and fire tenders were put on stand-by.
The police did not allow the crowd to advance towards Gulzar Houz. However, mischief mongers succeeded in creating commotion for a short period when stopped from moving towards Gulzar Houz. The police cordoned off the crowd coming from the Mecca Masjid at Charminar and diverted them towards Lad Bazaar. Even as the people were moving towards Lad Bazaar, a group of over 50 persons suddenly started running towards Murgi Chowk. The police immediately stopped others from proceeding towards Lad Bazaar and erected a fence to prevent anyone from going there. Later, they chased away the mischief mongers. Meanwhile, the RAF personnel stood like a rock between the protestors and Charminar.