Date:23/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/23/stories/2006052323140100.htm

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Policemen, buses stoned in old city

Staff Reporter

Protest against policeman's role in death of motorcyclist in accident; MIM stages sit-in

STANDOFF: MIM legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi arguing with Commissioner of Police A. K. Mohanty during a `dharna' held in Hyderabad on Monday. — PHOTO: P.V.Sivakumar

HYDERABAD: Parts of old city witnessed some anxious moments on Monday as angry residents rained stones on the police and city buses in Aliabad protesting against the death of Syed Sharieff, a motorcyclist who fell while trying to avoid being caught by a policeman for not wearing a helmet.

The police in riot-gear moved in to disperse the protesters at Aliabad after the burial, even as patrolling was stepped up all over the old city.

Four persons were injured in the lathicharge and the windscreen of a bus was damaged in the stone-throwing.

The police also maintained that they did not identify the policeman who tried to stop the motorcyclists allegedly leading to the fatal accident in Khairatabad.

Security was stepped up at the Police Commissioner's office in Basheer Bagh, where workers of Majlis-e-Itthadul Muslimeen (MIM) led by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi and five MIM legislators staged a sit-in for about two hours, demanding the suspension of the police personnel involved.

Commissioner A.K. Mohanty, however, turned down their demand saying the "allegations levelled by the victim's brother are being investigated into." As the demonstrators shouted slogans, Mr. Mohanty came out of his office to talk to MIM legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi, through the locked iron gates.

The MIM leaders later met Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy who announced an ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs to Sharief's family. A contract job would also be provided to one of the family members. Action against policemen, if found guilty, would be initiated in a day. Earlier, Home Minister K. Jana Reddy visited the hospital, where Mohd. Mohsin, injured in the road accident, was being treated. The Government would also bear the cost of treatment.

There was a heated argument between Mr. Owaisi and Mr. Mohanty with the former demanding the arrest of the policeman responsible.

Also a delegation of the MIM led by MP Asaduddin Owaisi met Mr. Jana Reddy and demanded an ex gratia of Rs. 4 lakhs for the victim's family.