Authorities deployed contingents of Rapid Action Force (RAF), Armed Reserve and Task Force teams in old city areas, as tension escalated with the MIM workers taking to streets forcing the closure of shops and pelted stones on city buses on Monday afternoon.
The MIM workers were protesting against their party president and MP Asaduddin Owaisi being remanded in judicial custody by a court in Sangareddy. The protestors damaged the windscreens of 15 city buses at Amberpet, Mehdipatnam, Afzalgunj, Shaikpet and M.J. Market. A shop at the pension office in Banjara Hills was attacked when it was found to be open.
The slogan-shouting party workers took out rallies in Kalapathar, Khilwath, Falaknuma, Hafeezbabanagar, Phoolbagh, Edi Bazaar and other areas demanding Mr. Owaisi’s release. A group of 50 women staged a rasta roko in Riyasatnagar condemning the arrest of Mr. Asaduddin. Several small traders voluntarily closed their shops. Miraj of Falaknuma said: “Apprehending violence, I closed my shop.”
Charminar and its surrounding areas wore a deserted look in the afternoon with shopkeepers downing the shutters of all business establishments as protestors roamed around forcing closure of shops. Police teams moved in and dispersed mobs at various places.
Charminar was also closed for visitors for a brief period during the melee. Several schools in the old city sent students away and closed.
Later in the evening, City Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma told reporters that the situation was under control in the old city.
