BJP workers led by senior leader Bandaru Dattatreya organised a demonstration on Tuesday in front of the Hyderabad Police Commissionerate in protest against what they alleged was a biased attitude by the police in investigating cases registered in connection with communal clashes which broke out in the old city and in Musheerabad.
The movement of traffic was disrupted for a brief while at Basheerbagh as the demonstrators refused to leave the place and raised slogans.
After some time, police contingents moved in and arrested the demonstrators who included K. Laxman, Baddam Bal Reddy in addition to Mr Dattatreya and others. In all, 250 persons were arrested and later let off.
Arrests condemned
The BJP city unit condemned the arrests and accused the police of high-handed behaviour when the party workers and leaders were being arrested.
Later in a press release, Mr. Dattatreya demanded the immediate release of the BJP workers who were arrested by the police on charges of participating in stone pelting incidents in Mangalhat and Musheerabad.
“The police have failed to nab the culprits behind the series of thefts in temples. They have also failed to arrest persons responsible for violence between two communities in old city, Musheerabad and Mangalhat. Instead of arresting such persons, the police have arrested innocent party workers,” Mr. Dattatreya alleged.
‘Transfer Inspector’
Mr Dattatreya demanded that the Police Commissioner immediately transfer the Inspector of Musheerabad station for what he described as ‘inept handling’ of the situation.
“The authorities have to provide foolproof security at all the temples in Hyderabad. The government should take measures to prevent cow slaughter and provide adequate number of cow shelters here,” he demanded.
The BJP leader requested the Censor Board to impose a ban on movies that deliberately insult the sentiments of people.
“The police should immediately release the party workers, who were falsely implicated in connection with the violence in parts of the old city and Musheerabad,” BJP leader demanded.
