Sigh of relief for police as prayers pass off peacefully

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 21. The police heaved a sigh of relief as the Friday prayers at Mecca Masjid and other mosques in the twin cities passed off peacefully amidst reports that a section of people might stage demonstrations against the proposed attacks on Afghanistan by the United States.

Large contingents of police were deployed at various religious places in the Old City following reports that agitators had planned to burn effigies of the American President, Mr. George W. Bush, expressing solidarity with the prime accused in the World Trade Centre attack, Osama bin Laden.

The Police Commissioner, Mr. P. Ramulu, acknowledged that the police were feeling `tense' as some demonstrators reportedly selected sensitive areas like Rein Bazar, Bhavaninagar and Kala Pathar to burn the effigies.

Mr. Ramulu said an inflammatory news report in a local Urdu newspaper with the headline, `Indian Muslims will not keep quiet if anything happens to Osama bin Laden' stirred a hornet's nest. "The report instigated a section of people and there was tension all around."

The Commissioner said he would recommend to the Government to ban the newspaper for its provocative articles. He commended the public for showing restraint despite the inflammatory writings.

Nearly 40 platoons of police, Rakshak and Blue Colts teams and Task Force personnel were stationed in the Old City as a part of the security measures.

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Section  : Southern States
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