Noon prayers at Mecca Masjid and mosques in other parts of the old city passed off peacefully on Friday. Mild tension prevailed when young namazis stepping out of the masjid were not allowed to go towards Charminar. As police persuaded them to go back and exit through the rear gate of the masjid to reach Laad Bazar and beyond, some youngsters initially declined to do so.
Questioning the logic behind the new decision, the youngsters tried to head towards Charminar. But the repeated announcements and persuasion by Maithri Committee members and other civilians finally yielded results. There was some slogan shouting, but the youngsters dispersed within a few minutes.
Tight security
Elaborate security arrangements were in place in view of the arson and attacks on properties last Friday. Personnel of RAF, APSP, and all units of the Commissioner’s Task Force were deployed at Charminar. However, the number of those offering prayers at the historic mosque was less this Friday. Traffic was allowed to move till noon and later all the four roads from Laad Bazar, Sardar Mahal, Gulzar Houz and Shah Ali Banda sides were closed for commuters.
Under the personal supervision of Joint Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Jain and South Zone DCP Akun Sabharwal, security was beefed up at Charminar. With steel barricades and barbed wire fencing in place, all the roads leading to Charminar were closed.
Though they allowed crowds coming out of the masjid to head to Madina building last Friday, this time they ensured that no one crossed the barricades at Charminar. Policemen were eventually withdrawn after 3 p.m. as reports came in that at all other mosques in the old city too noon prayers were held peacefully.
