Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Angry protestors lay siege to Koti for hours

–Photo: PTI

Red with rage: Activists of Shiv Sena, VHP and Bajrang Dal damage a bus on Friday.

HYDERABAD: Angry youth protesting against the demolition of a temple wall laid siege to Koti area completely for hours on Friday, defying lathi-wielding and gun-toting policemen.

While police felt that their strategy of patience helped defuse the volatile situation without using much force, commuters coming into the city from Dilsukhnagar via Koti and vice-versa had a harrowing experience. The entire area along the bus stop close to the Government College for Women at Koti was taken over by huge crowds of agitating youngsters .

With most of the police force deployed for security arrangements in old city for Friday noon prayers and the remaining posted to meet any eventuality at Koti, not many policemen were available for streamlining the traffic. The alternative routes of MJ Market, Begum Bazar, Kachiguda and Narayanaguda witnessed traffic gridlocks all through the day.

Schoolchildren returning home had a tough time as the main route of Koti was closed for traffic. Areas in and around Koti resembled a curfew-like situation with shops and business establishments downing their shutters.

The protestors did not spare even policemen but the latter blamed the GHMC staff for the incident. Minister for B.C. Welfare Mukesh Goud explained that GHMC officials “removed the wall” since the RTC officials complained that it made manoeuvring of buses difficult at the bus-stop. After the Minister assured to get the demolished portion rebuilt, the youths marked new borders occupying most of the road space and erected a temporary fencing with sticks and broken bricks. However, the police dispersed them resorting to lathicharge while the GHMC workers began rebuilding the demolished wall.

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