CURFEW-LIKE: The ever-busy Charminar area wears a deserted look on Friday. Photo: Ramesh Babu K

HYDERABAD: Home Minister K.Jana Reddy has informed the Assembly that the situation in the old city is under control and strict measures have been taken to prevent recurrence of trouble.

Making a statement, he said that stringent punishment would be given to those responsible for the incidents near Charminar earlier in the day. He appealed to political parties and religious leaders to cooperate with the authorities in maintaining peace.

Earlier, MIM floor leader, Akbaruddin Owaisi, while speaking on the motion of thanks to the Governor's address, condemned the violence and asserted that MIM was not responsible for the incidents. He urged the Government to prosecute the "real culprits". He said that MIM wanted the agitation to be organised without any violence.

G.Kishen Reddy (BJP) alleged that the Government had not taken adequate precautionary measures though such incidents were anticipated.

Condemning the violence, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said there was no justification in protesters attacking members of other communities and their businesses. Saying the MIM protest meeting was organised inside the Mecca Masjid, he termed unfortunate the violence that took place outside after the meeting. He said Muslims the world over were deeply hurt by the depiction of Prophet Muhammad in the Denmark newspapers and were taking to the streets to air their discontent."They are coming to streets on their own and do not need a political party to organise a meeting," he said and appealed to people to maintain peace and communal harmony in the old city. Taking exception to the arrest of AIMIM corporator from Charminar, he clarified that Mohd. Ghouse was, in fact, trying to stop the people from resorting to violence as was evident on the television coverage. Mr. Owaisi met Police Commissioner A.K. Mohanty and underlined the need for stepping up vigil in sensitive areas. The MP demanded that the Centre call back the Indian envoy in Denmark.

Bharatiya Janata Party State president N. Indrasena Reddy demanded the arrest of the Hyderabad MP and some leaders of the Majlis Ittehadul-e-Muslimeen for allegedly fomenting trouble in the old city. He came down heavily on the police for `miserably failing' to control the mobs that went on a rampage.

Call for restraint

Staff Reporter writes: In a press statement, Executive Secretary of COVA, Mohammad Turab, condemned the violence in the old city on Friday.

While empathising with the hurt sentiments, he said, COVA could not endorse the way some protesters targeted the property of innocent individuals. This would run counter to the real purpose of the protest, which was to garner solidarity from all sections of society. The City Committee of Awaaz also made an appeal for peaceful protest.

President Syed Ashraf Ali said. "While no section has the right to belittle religious sentiments of another the fundamental right to protest has to be registered in a peaceful manner."

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