Thousands of Muslims offered special prayers at the Idgah at Gollagudem, mosques at Nizampet, Mustafanagar and elsewhere in the town on the occasion of Id-ul-Fitr, marking the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan, on Monday.
A large number of Muslims took part in a mass prayer at the Idgah organised as part of Id-ul-Fitr celebrations here.
Khammam MLA P. Ajay Kumar and a host of other elected representatives, were among those who greeted Muslim brethren at the Idgah grounds.
In Bhadradri-Kothagudem district, Id-ul-Fitr was celebrated with religious fervour and zeal in Kothagudem, Manuguru, and Palvancha.
A minor altercation ensued between a group of leaders of the Opposition parties and the police at an Idgah in Kothagudem when the latter reportedly stopped the leaders, who came to greet the Muslim brethren, from entering into the Idgah during the mass prayer.
Former Kothagudem MLA K. Sambasiva Rao of the CPI, senior Congress leader and former minister V. Venkateswara Rao entered into a heated argument with a Circle Inspector of Police resenting the alleged high-handed behaviour of a policeman towards them.
The Idgah committee members intervened and pacified them.
Mr. Sambasiva Rao and Mr. Venkateshwara Rao conveyed their greetings to Muslims soon after the special prayers.
Peaceful celebration
Adilabad Special Correspondent adds: Ramzan was celebrated by Muslims across the undivided Adilabad district with religious fervour. The festival passed off peacefully under the watchful eyes of policemen who were deployed in adequate number in areas known for communal unrest like Ichoda, Utnoor in Adilabad district and Bhainsa and Khanapur in Nirmal district.
The devout arrived at the main Idgah besides the several mosques in town to offer special prayers. The prayers began at 9 a.m. and ended at 9.30 a.m.
Forest Minister Jogu Ramanna, Superintendent of Police M. Sreenivas, former Adilabad District Congress Committee president C. Ramchander Reddy and other political leaders greeted the Muslims as they came out of the Idgah.
There was camaraderie in air as the Muslims invited their friends and others over festival lunch.
At Bhainsa too the festive fervour was witnessed as hundreds of Muslims offered prayers at mosques.
The police bandobast was tight in this town which had witnessed communal violence in the past.
Children participate
Nizamabad Special Correspondent adds: Muslims celebrated the festival across the undivided district with gaiety and fervour on Monday. Giving up 30-day fasting they offered prayers at Idgah Grounds. Elderly and the young including kids participated in prayers.
Hundreds of devout joined prayers at Idgah maidan here on Quilla Road. At Kamareddy Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir and Nedcap Chairman S.A. Aleem participated in prayers. Member of Legislative Assembly Shakeel Ahmed offered prayers at Bodhan while Minister for Agriculture Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, Mission Bhagiratha vice-chairman V. Prashanth Reddy and Government Whip Gampa Govardhan greeted Muslims after prayers at Banswada, Balkonda and Kamareddy respectively.
Among those who personally greeted Muslims at prayer grounds included MLC Akula Lalitha (Cong.), Mayor Akula Sujatha, Congress leader B. Mahesh Kumar Goud, Deputy IG of Police N. Sivashankar Reddy and Commissioner of Police Kartikeya.
Greetings exchanged
Warangal Special Correspondent adds: The holy Ramzan festival was celebrated across the five districts that formed undivided Warangal district with religious fervor and gaiety exchanging greetings.
Special arrangements were made at Idgahs in Warangal, Kazipet, Hanamkonda and at all district headquarters in Jangaon, Bhupalpalli, Mahabubabad and Warangal urban and rural districts to offer special prayers on the occasion.
In Warangal city, MLA Konda Surekha and Mayor N. Narender joined the Muslim community members in offering prayers. They exchanged pleasantries and greeted the Muslims.
In Hanamkonda, MLA D. Vinay Bhaskar visited several Idgahs and Mosques meeting Muslims and greeting them. City Police Commissioner G. Sudheer Babu and other officers greeted the Muslims on the occasion.
