Shoot-at-sight orders in Hyderabad as riots spread,

Hyderabad, March 30: Communal riots spread to new areas in Hyderabad Tuesday even as shoot-at-sight orders were issued in the old city and curfew was imposed in the areas under eight more police stations.While curfew continued the old city without any relaxation, it was imposed in new areas following fresh clashes. Hyderabad police Commissioner A.K. Khan said Tuesday evening that indefinite curfew would be in force in Afzalgunz, Begumbazar, Shahinathgunz, Tappachaputra, Asifnagar, Mangalhat, Kulsumpura and Habibnagar police stations. He also imposed prohibitory orders banning processions and rallies across this Andhra Pradesh capital after clashes in new areas. The indefinite curfew in the riot-hit old city of Hyderabad continued Tuesday without relaxation. All 17 police stations under the south zone were brought under curfew Monday night to control the situation. The communal violence, which was so far confined to the old city, spread to other areas in the city, triggering tension. Groups belonging to two different communities clashed in Musheerabad, Bholakpur and Rani Gunj and other areas in central Hyderabad and its twin city Secunderabad. Andhra Pradesh police chief Girish Kumar told reporters that police were ordered to shoot anyone carrying lethal weapons, stones or sticks in the curfew-bound old city. The order came after fresh incidents of violence that left over 30 people injured. While the curfew-bound old city remained by and large peaceful, trouble broke out in Musheerabad area when some people allegedly pelted stones on a religious procession. Rival groups clashes with stones and sticks. The miscreants attacked houses and damaged over 20 vehicles. The trouble spread to nearby Bholakpur and Rani Gunj areas. In Begum Bazar area near the old city, police opened fire in the air to disperse two clashing groups. There was tension in several areas as various organisations took out processions to mark Hanuman Jayanti. As the tension was mounting, police ordered closure of shops and business establishments in almost all parts of the city as a precautionary measure. Almost the entire city wore a deserted look. Sporadic incidents of stone pelting were reported from curfew-bound areas of Gulzar Houz and Shahali Banda near the historic Charminar but the police controlled the situation by resorting to baton charges and arresting the miscreants. The violence, which broke out Saturday in Moosabowli area of Hussaini Alam over a dispute on putting up of religious flags, has so far left one person dead and over 80 injured while several places of worship were attacked and vehicles torched. With rampaging mobs taking to streets in several areas Monday afternoon, police imposed curfew to bring the situation under control. Hundreds of policemen and paramilitary forces personnel were deployed across the communally-sensitive walled city. The violence of last three days and the curfew has put the residents to severe inconvenience. Police, with the help of some dairy farms, arranged supply of milk in curfew-bound areas Tuesday morning. Women were allowed to come out and buy milk from the suppliers. Policemen from other parts of the state, neighbouring states and personnel of central forces like Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) have been deployed in the trouble-torn areas. Police Commissioner Khan said any decision on relaxing the curfew would be taken after a review of the situation Wednesday. He said police had formed special teams to identify the culprits behind the riots. "We have so far arrested 110 people in connection with various incidents and questioning them to identify the culprits," Khan said. Authorities have postponed the Class 10 examinations in all curfew-bound areas. The education department announced that the examinations would be held for students in the old city at a later date.
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Failure of Andhra Pradsh government: BJP

Hyderabad, Mar 30 : While curfew is still on in communal violence-hit areas of Hyderabad, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday said the clashed are a result of the failure if Andhra Pradsh government."Muslim fundamentalist organizations like MIM and others objected to putting up of hoarding of Shri Ram and raised buntings on the eve of Hanuman Jayanti and started attacks on temples, shops, houses and targeted even Gaushala," read a BJP press statement issued by National Spokesperson and MP Prakash Javadekar."Police remained a mute spectator despite complaints and appeals to act. Mr. Satyanarayana, who was coming out of ATM was stabbed to death in the presence of police. Rioters took full advantage of this police laxity and attacked a famous Jain Gaushala in Shamsherjung, where they burnt alive 3 cows by putting grass and petrol on them. "They even burnt cars and beat up people in front of old city police commissioner office. Police till this moment have not arrested the rioters involved in these heinous cow burnings and stabbings. This is comprehensive failure of the police and the Govt. of AP," said Javadekar.The BJP demanded judicial inquiry into the incidents of unprovoked attacks on temples, Hindus and burning of cows in Hyderabad. "This inquiry becomes more imperative in the background of a statement of Congress MP Madhu Yaski that these attacks are part of conspiracy to destabilize present CM K. Rossaih and an admission by city police commissioner that these attacks are premeditated. Both these statements are serious enough to warrant a judicial probe as they hint at a larger conspiracy intended to create communal flare up."Javadekar further said: "AP has a history of such a premeditated communal flare up for settling political scores amongst Congress leaders themselves as witnessed during the regime of M. Chenna Reddy in 1990. Statement of police commissioner is also equally revealing in its contents. "If police commissioner had prior information of this premeditated attacks, why in the first place he did not come up with a plan to prevent such ugly attacks? This must be viewed in the light of the fact that Congress and MIM alliance is ruling Greater Hyderabad Corporation.""BJP condemns the dastardly acts of burning of cows, which shows the cruelty at its worst besides attacks on temples, shops, houses and stabbings. BJP also demands arrest of rioters and brains behind them. BJP demands action against erring police officials," he added.The communal clashes in the city have left one dead and over 80 injured in the past three days. At least 130 have been arrested so far.Fresh clashed were reported on Monday evening at Moghalpura, Shalibanda, Charminar, Aliabad, Falaknuma, Shamsheergunj and Lal Darwaja areas leading to imposition of curfew in 17 police station areas of South Zone.
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Shoaib Malik to wed Sania Mirza

Former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik is set to marry Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, a union of two of South Asia’s most well known sports personalities.

The marriage is sure to attract attention because neighbouring Pakistan and India are longtime rivals, and have fought three wars since 1947.“The news of me marrying to Sania is true,” Malik posted on Twitter on Tuesday. “Inshallah (God willing) will get married in April.”The Pakistan Cricket Board has fined and banned Malik for one year for unspecified disciplinary reasons following heavy defeats in both test and limited-overs series against Australia earlier this year.The 23-year-old Mirza ended a previous engagement to childhood friend Sohrab Mirza in January, citing incompatibility.She issued a statement Tuesday confirming the marriage plan, but asking for privacy.“My wedding Inshallah is going to be the biggest day of my life,” she said. “I have been in the media glare for too long and would appreciate a little privacy at this very personal moment in my life.”Her father, Imran Mirza, said both Sania and Malik will be based in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, but continue to represent their countries in their respective sports.“This is a unique case where husband and wife will represent their respective countries in sport,” he said in a statement issued in Hyderabad, India, where the family lives.A local television reported that Mirza, her parents and sister, had applied for a visa at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday and were expected to be issued with a visa of three weeks in duration and valid for 60 days.Mirza, a two-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champion, became the first Indian woman to crack the top 40 in the international tennis rankings, reaching a career high of No. 27 in August 2007. At one time, the Muslim player was assailed by conservative elements of the Indian community for competing in short skirts and sleeveless shirts. She has not advanced beyond the first round in her last four tournaments and withdrew from tournaments in Malaysia and the United States in recent weeks due to a wrist injury. She is currently No. 92 in the rankings.Malik, 28, was at the centre of marriage controversy five years ago when he was reportedly broke an engagement with Ayesha Siddiqui, who was from Mirza’s hometown in India.The two had reportedly developed friendship on the internet and Siddiqui’s father had even threatened to take Malik to court.Malik has denied any serious relationship with Siddique.The dashing cricketer was also linked with Indian actress Siali Bhagat, and there were reports of the two meeting confidentially in 2008.News of the Malik-Mirza engagement spread quickly on Tuesday.It’s not the first time that a Pakistani cricketer will be married to a high-profile Indian woman.Former test batsman Mohsin Khan, now the national chief selector, married Indian actress Reena Roy in the 1980s. The marriage later broke down.Newspapers reported that Malik first met Mirza at Hobart, Australia in January, when the Pakistan squad was on tour and Mirza was in the city for a tennis tournament.“It was after this meeting that Mirza’s engagement with his childhood friend broke,” a local Urdu daily reported.Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and India grew more tense after a terrorist attack in the Indian film and financial hub of Mumbai in November, 2008. As a result, the Indian cricket team postponed its scheduled test tour to Pakistan due to security concerns.The Pakistan government refused permission for its players to join the second edition of the Indian Premier League last year before the lucrative Indian domestic league was moved to South Africa.Sporting relations deteriorated further when no Pakistani cricketers were picked up by Indian clubs in this year’s auction for the IPL.Malik played for Delhi Daredevils in the inaugural edition of IPL in 2008.He played 29 test matches for Pakistan and scored 1,517 runs at an average of 36.11. In 190 one-day internationals he has scored 5,141 runs at an average of 34.50 and also took 132 wickets with his off-spin bowling.Malik lost the captaincy of the national team after Pakistan lost a limited-overs series to Sri Lanka at home last year.
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Curfew continues in tense Hyderabad,

Hyderabad, Mar 30 : The situation in the old city of Hyderabad continues to remain tense, as the curfew has been imposed till 6 p.m. on Tuesday.Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) South Zone Madhusudhan Reddy said the curfew that was imposed on Monday evening has been extended till 6 p.m. on Tuesday to avoid any untoward incident, adding that the Class 10 board examination in around 140 centres have been postponed following the incidents of communal violence.Meanwhile, the Central Government has rushed in over 1800 troops in the sensitive areas to maintain law and order and restore peace.Over 130 persons, suspected to be involved in the communal clashes, have been taken into custody so far, police added.The Andhra Pradesh Government on Monday ordered deployment of additional security forces in old Hyderabad city where tension prevails; following overnight clashes between two communities.The Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the state police were earlier deployed in Moosa Bowli, Hussaini Alam, Purana Pul, Begum Bazar, and nearby areas to restore peace following incidents of stone-pelting and assault on religious places, houses, shops and vehicles.Strife started in Moosa Bowli area when the majority community reportedly removed green flags installed by members of the other community and installed saffron ones, instead, during a recent festival. The heated exchanges snowballed into clashes between the two groups.
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Curfew continues in old city: Situation under control

Hyderabad Mar 30: Though the situation was tense in the curfew-born entire South Zone, the troubled areas were fully under the control of the security forces deployed in a large number to contain the sporadic violent incidents witnessed for the last three days.According to police sources, the situation was tense but under control as the security personnel were maintaing constant vigil.Though the police did not confirm the sporadic incidents last night despite curfew, there were reports of three to four incidents of stone pelting. However, authorities have not decided to lift the curfew as the Andhra Pradesh Home Minister P Sabita Indra Reddy stated that the curfew would be continued till the situation improved.She said over 2,000 para military personnel, including those drawn from Rapid Action Force (RAF),BSF,CISF and CRPF, besides APSP, were pressed into service to contain any trouble in areas falling under 17 police station limits in South Zone.
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Blame game within Congress over Hyderabad riots

Hyderabad, March 30 : In a major embarrassment for the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh, a section of its leaders from Telangana have openly charged their own party colleagues from two other regions of being involved in the communal riots in Hyderabad.Congress MP from Nizamabad Madhu Yashki Goud has said that the riots were a conspiracy by leaders from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions as those opposing the demand for statehood to Telangana had been warning Muslims that communal tensions would rise in the separate state. "It is a conspiracy similar to the one against Chenna Reddy's government to remove him from power," said Yashki referring to the 1990 communal riots of Hyderabad. Rivals of former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, both within the Congress and in the opposition, had alleged that he was behind the riots to dislodge Reddy from power. Senior Congress legislator Shankar Rao has also alleged that those opposing Chief Minister Rosaiah were behind the riots to defame him and his government. Their allegations evoked sharp reaction from Congress legislators belonging to Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, who demanded disciplinary action against them. Congress sources said party's state unit president D. Srinivas spoke to Yashki, Rao and another MP V. Hanumantha Rao warning them against making any allegations over riots. In the state assembly Tuesday, Rosaiah had to face embarrassing moments when opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu referred to the statements made by these Congress leaders and demanded a thorough probe and stern action against those involved. "We are not saying anything but your own party leaders have made certain statements. A thorough probe should be ordered to find out if your own party people are involved or there are other unidentified elements behind the riots," the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president said amid protests by treasury benches. Earlier, Rosaiah, in his statement, appealed to people to maintain peace and urged all political parties to rise above political differences to cooperate in restoring normalcy in the state. Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) legislator Ahmed Pasha Khadri Tuesday said his party has already given to the government the names of individuals and the party involved in the violence and demanded action against the guilty.
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Oppn forces A P House adjournment over violence in old city

Hyderabad, Mar 30 : Andhra Pradesh Assembly was adjourned thrice today as the main Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) stalled the proceedings over the communal violence in old city of Hyderabad.The trouble started when senior TDP member N. Janardhan Reddy raising the issue demanded judicial probe to unravel those behind the trouble in the old city.Speaker N Kirankumar Reddy repeatedly appealed to the TDP not to aggravate the volatile situation. As the TDP member continued to speak on the issue, the Speaker withdrew the mike, following this TDP members disrupted the proceedings.The Speaker adjourned the House for ten minutes.The situation was no different when the House reassembled with the TDP members rushing towards the podium raising slogans for 'protecting the old city'.Then the Speaker adjourned the House for another 15 minutes.
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Fresh trouble in communally volatile Old Hyderabad

Communal violence broke out in the Old City of Hyderabad for the third successive day Monday as groups of people took to the streets to attack each other despite the heavy presence of police and paramilitary forces.

Shops in the markets around historic Charminar downed shutters as people returned home in panic. State-owned Road Transport Corp (RTC) also stopped plying buses on Charminar-Falaknuma road, the busiest road in the area.Fresh incidents of violence were reported Monday afternoon from Shahali Banda, Moghalpura, Aliabad, Lal Darwaza, Shamsheergunj and other localities near the historic Mecca Masjid.Trouble broke out in Shahali Banda when a group tried to attack a place of worship. Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas and used batons to hit out at the crowds. Clashes were also reported from adjoining localities, shattering the calm prevailed since late last night.Police were having a tough time dealing with some resorting to pelting stones in the lanes and bylanes of the area. Police said additional forces, including the paramilitary Rapid Action Force, were being sent to sensitive areas to control the situation.The trouble restarted just a couple of hours after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah told the state assembly that additional forces from Delhi and neighbouring states were reaching Hyderabad. Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy met public representatives to review the situation.The home minister, who had visited the old city Monday morning, told the state assembly that the situation was under control.Tension gripped the communally sensitive old city after overnight clashes in and attacks on places of worship in several areas. The violence since Saturday night has left over 60 people injured.
Incidents of stabbing, arson, stone pelting, attacks on places of worship, shops and vehicles were reported from over a dozen areas well past midnight Sunday. Police opened fire in the air and lobbed tear gas to bring the situation under control.Director General of Police Girish Kumar, who visited the troubled areas late Sunday, said adequate forces were being deployed to bring the situation under control.Police have imposed prohibitory orders banning the assembly of five or more people in the old city and some communally sensitive areas of the new city.Utter confusion prevailed among students appearing for Class 10 board examinations. The students and their parents were worried over their safety as several exam centres were located in troubled areas, but the authorities went ahead with the examinations amid tight security.The violence, which broke out Saturday night in Moosabowli area of Hussaini Alam following a quarrel between two groups over religious flags, spread to new areas Sunday with mobs armed with stones, sticks and even petrol bombs taking to the streets.Troublemakers attacked passers-by with knives and other sharp-edged weapons in Gowliguda, Falaknuma, Shamsheergunj and Chatrinaka areas after asking them to identify themselves.Women and children were not spared either. About a dozen places of worship were targeted by unruly crowds, who also torched a few shops, a cattle shelter and vehicles.Police Commissioner A.K. Khan has termed the incidents “pre-planned”. Seventy people have been arrested.Though the situation is peaceful and normal life remained unaffected in other parts of Hyderabad and twin city of Secunderabad, police have stepped up security as a precautionary measure.Life in Cyberabad, the IT district housing giants like Microsoft and Google, remained unaffected.
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