An undercurrent of tension is palpable in the old city nowadays for a variety of reasons and the usual nocturnal hustle and bustle for which the old city is known for, is missing with the law enforcers forcing the closure of shops by 10 p.m. every day.
As the clock strikes 10 p.m. an uneasy calm prevails in the lanes and by-lanes and the patrol policemen begin to blow whistles to force an unwilling shopkeeper to shut down. “They are making our lives miserable. I cannot understand why we should close down so early,” mutters a pan shop owner in Bhavaninagar locality.
“The situation is reminiscent of curfew relaxation periods. People rush as if the curfew is going to be re-imposed five minutes later,” sums of another old city resident, who is wary of being identified.
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Though parts of new city close down by 10.30 p.m. or 11 p.m. usually, the closure of shops, hotels and pan thelas by 10 p.m. is very unusual in this part of the State capital. This has been the situation since Bakrid festival.
The recent attacks on members of a particular community and other minor incidents seem to have cast a shadow on old city. And at night times, rumours fly thick and fast about someone being attacked or stones being hurled on homes and tension begins to build up. The intensified movement of policemen itself becomes a cause for tension, many a time.
With December 6 fast approaching, the tension is even more piling up. Even minor incidents are evoking sharp response from the public. On Sunday night, a report about an alleged ‘attack' at Chandulal Baradari was enough for the local residents to press the panic button and deciding to confine themselves to their homes.
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Business affected
More than anybody, it is the common man, who is put to fear and inconvenience. Such is the situation that most people are not willing to venture out in the night. Irani cafes and biryani hotels that usually remain open even after midnight are closed very early. With dwindling number of people, auto-rickshaws and cab drivers too are not operating their vehicles in this part of the city in the nights.
“After finishing my night duty, I usually have a cup of tea at the hotels but since last 10 days, all the hotels are being shut early. A sense of panic is prevailing here,” says a private security guard.
It's marriage season, but majority of the function halls are witnessing poor turnout. People are not willing to attend functions late in the night. Even if some arrive at the function halls with rumours spreading around, many are leaving the functions in the midway, says Md. Tousif, incharge of SAR Gardens in Shastripuram.