Police break rules, squat on footpath near Mecca masjid

HYDERABAD: Police have encroached upon a footpath and raised nearly three-foot high walls in a restricted zone near Charminar. The construction, abutting the historic Mecca Masjid, created a flutter after locals and politicians took objection and stopped the work. Throwing rules to the wind, police began to raise walls that too at a signboard, indicating the 100-metre restricted zone around Charminar, where construction activity is banned. Sources said the South Zone police raised the walls after encroaching the pavement to put a police picket in place. “There is a picket at the spot. Then, police used some sort of material to turn it into a temporary shelter. Now, they have raised walls. The walls have been

constructed on the footpath

," a

Mecca Masjid

official, who did not wish to be identified, told TOI.

Charminar MLA

Ahmed Pasha Quadri

landed at the location and claimed police have not sought permission to carry out the construction. “Archaeological Survey of India (

ASI

) does not give permission to construct structures near Charminar," he told TOI. He also objected to the fact that construction was done on the footpath.

ASI officials said they would take stock of the situation on Friday.