Shops in Old City down shutters in support of rally

CHARMINAR: Normal life came to a halt in parts of Old City on Friday. The Old City Hyderabad Traders Association on Thursday had announced that shops in Old City will remain shut between 1pm and 5pm in support of the Tiranga rally against Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR).
The market streets wore a deserted look as business establishments and educational institutions remained closed.
The Old City Hyderabad Traders Association on Thursday had announced that shops in Old City will remain shut between 1pm and 5pm in support of the Tiranga rally against CAA, NRC and NPR
Shopkeepers in areas such as Falaknuma, Bahadurpura, Shastripuram, Charminar, Gulzar Houz, Pathergatti, Laad Bazaar, Old Subzi Mandi, Tappachabutra, Jhirra, Asif Nagar, Mehdipatnam and Tolichowki downed their shutters.
“We are happy to see the unity among public and political leaders. Protests should continue till these controversial bills are withdrawn,” said Syed Gulam Mahmood Hussain, a shopkeeper.
In view of the rally, the timings for Friday prayers were changed in some mosques and Namaz was offered at 1pm, so that participants could reach the venue as early as possible. Soon after the prayers, many people, holding Tricolour, headed towards Eidgah Mir Alam to take part in the rally.
A group of youths came out from Mecca Masjid, raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and vowed to ‘intensify their agitation in coming days if the controversial bills are not withdrawn’.
Meanwhile, the police swung into action and managed to peacefully disperse the crowd gathered outside Mecca Masjid. Also, elaborate security arrangements were made in and around the Old City, and the police kept a close watch on the rally route.