Stone-pelting incident mars Ganesh procession

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 1. An isolated incident of stone-pelting resulting in bleeding injuries to two persons and damages to a Ganesha idol in the communally sensitive Noorkhan Bazar locality marred the otherwise peaceful idol immersion procession in the city on Saturday.

Trouble broke out after dusk when two vehicles carrying idols were passing a mosque in the area. Though it was not known how the stone pelting began, an idol slid down the vehicle and was damaged. This roused passions with the processionists refusing to move from the place. Both sides were accusing each other of instigating trouble.

This led to escalation of tension in the area and groups of both the communities gathered and a strong contingent of police which rushed there lathicharged and dispersed the crowds. However, the processionists regrouped and were raising slogans till the Additional Commissioner, Mr. K. Aravinda Rao, and zonal DCP, Mr. S. Umapati, rushed there. After hectic parleys and use of force, the vehicles were moved from the place by 8 p.m.

Confusion was worse confounded as there was a power outage in some areas around Noorkhan Bazar. Police officers were frantically trying to reach the Transco authorities to restore power immediately. "The situation is under control and additional police pickets have been posted in the locality", the Commissioner of Police, Mr.P. Ramulu, told The Hindu.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Cable users' forum to discuss fee hike today
Next     : 'Provide foodgrains for more BPL families'