The Andhra Pradesh capital limped to normality with no untoward incident being reported from any of the 25 curfew-bound areas of the old city on Saturday, but the authorities seem to be in no mood to lift the curfew, a demand that has been gaining strength among people.
The normal situation during the phased curfew relaxation in 25 police station areas on Saturday has only prompted the authorities to announce further extension of curfew relaxation periods. “If situation improves further, we will consider lifting the day curfew,” Commissioner of Police A.K. Khan said.
Saturday, the fifth day of curfew, tested the patience of not only citizens in the 25 police station areas, but also the policemen enforcing it. “If the situation is normal, why continue the curfew?” was an oft-repeated question media personnel had to face. However, Mr. Khan would only say that the decision to lift the curfew would be entirely based on situational assessment by his team and also on the intelligence inputs. While the Special Investigation Team led by Additional CP, Crimes, K. Narasimha Reddy, began investigation into communal violence, allegations of police harassment have begun to surface from both the communities. While the BJP has accused the police of picking up innocent people just to counter-balance the number of arrests made from the minority community, the Majlis has alleged that the police are unleashing a reign of terror by arresting innocent people. MIM president and MP Asaduddin Owaisi staged a protest in front of Charminar police station on Friday night.
Relaxation time
The relaxation time in Afzalgunj, Begum Bazaar, Shahinayatgunj, Tappachabutra, Asifnagar, Mangalhat, Kulsumpura and Habeebnagar will be extended by one more hour from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sunday, according to police.
