Violence in Old City over U.S. attacks

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, OCT. 12. The US-led aerial bombing of Afghanistan targeting Osama bin Laden had its echo here today when hundreds of Muslim youths, protesting against the attacks, clashed with police forcing the latter to fire in the air.

Earlier, repeated use of tear-gas shells, water cannon and lathi- charge proved futile to control the frenzied youth who went on hurling stones from inside the Mecca Masjid where they offered the noon prayers.

Scores of rioters sustained bleeding injuries in the lathi-charge while about 50 policemen, including the zonal DCP, Mr. S. Umapathi, were injured in stone-pelting. It took more than an hour for the police to bring a semblance of order around Charminar even as rumours of communal clashes breaking out leading to imposition of curfew flew thick and fast. Worried over the turn of events, the Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, convened a high-level meeting to take stock of the situation. Outbreak of violence was widely anticipated what with intelligence agencies alerting the city police last night. Heavy contingents of police, including the Rapid Action Force, were positioned near the Mecca Masjid by noon. Entire top brass of the city police, including the Commissioner, Mr. P. Ramulu, camped at Charminar to monitor the situation. Immediately after the noon prayers, Muslim youth began raising pro-Laden slogans. As the frenzy worked up, the police came under a heavy attack.

The use of water cannon and lobbing of tear-gas shells had no impact as the crowds played a see-saw battle with the police in riot gear. As the police moved in, groups of youth could be seen climbing atop the shops abutting the mosque and hurled stones at the advancing police teams.

At one stage, it appeared as if the situation was slipping out of control and the police fired rubber bullets. At this stage, police troops were ordered to enter the mosque and disperse the crowds. Once the RAF and the Task Force teams rushed into the mosque, tension escalated again. The police teams could be seen chasing away the frenzied youngsters. The volatile situation was brought under control only after the MIM legislator, Mr. Asaduddin Owaisi, arrived at Charminar. He had a brief conversation with the Commissioner and only then the police teams were ordered to come out of the mosque. Subsequently, it was left to the MLA to drive the youngsters out of the mosque.

A couple of journalists and videographers also received lathi- blows.

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