Four persons, including two policemen and two journalists, were injured in the stone-pelting by a group of youngsters at Charminar on Friday.
A police vehicle too got partially damaged as the group repeatedly clashed with the police when their attempt to take out a rally protesting the arrest of MIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi soon after completion of noon prayers at Mecca Masjid was foiled by the police.
Police used tear gas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse the protesters pelting stones on them, and attempting to damage public and private property. Trouble started when a group of namazis came in a rally out of the Mecca Masjid.
Carrying a huge poster of Mr. Owaisi, they surged towards Charminar only to be stopped by the huge contingent of policemen in riot gear standing across the road. Raising slogans, they tried in vain to breach the police cordon.
While retreating, some miscreants began hurling stones. After observing restraint for a while, the police too resorted to throwing stones followed by lobbing of tear gas shells into the mob that had gathered before the Masjid. Running inside the mosque for cover, youngsters continued to throw stones and broken bricks at the police.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma said serious action would be taken against those involved in the violence. He said efforts were also on to delete the hate speech content from social networking sites.
Mr. Sharma said four to five rounds of tear gas shells were lobbed. However, the local people said over 10 rounds were lobbed.The police resorted to lathicharge as the youth ran helter-skelter in different directions.
Kiran’s effigy burnt
An effigy of the Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy was burnt near the Moghulpura fire station. The battle continued for nearly 20 minutes before the police managed to bring the situation under control. Within an hour, normal traffic movement was also allowed in the area.