The situation in riot-hit areas of Madannapet and Saidabad remained peaceful on Monday, while the indefinite curfew continued for the second day and residents had to face hardships in getting essential commodities.
No untoward incident took place since Sunday night in the communally sensitive areas in old city, said police officials. Clashes between two communities had led to imposition of indefinite curfew in Madannapet and Saidabad police station limits on Sunday.
The lanes and bylanes in these areas wore a deserted look with residents staying indoors throughout the day. However, in some areas youngsters were seen playing cricket in the by-lanes connecting main roads. However, people complained that they were unable to purchase vegetables, milk and other commodities as shop owners continued to shut their establishments. “We are facing problems since Sunday afternoon owing to non-availability of vegetables and other commodities,” complained a housewife Vijayalaxmi of Kurmmaguda in Madannapet.
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Residents complained that milk vans were not allowed to enter the riot-hit areas. They had to depend on nearby dairy farms to get milk. “After waiting for an hour, we managed to get only half a litre milk,” said Mohd. Ghouse, a welder from Kurmmaguda. A litre of milk was sold for Rs.60 in some areas.
“We usually buy groceries and vegetables every Sunday. But due to this violence, we could not go out and now we are facing shortage of these items,” rued Susheela, a housewife from Madannapet. Daily labourers and vendors, who were hit hard due to the curfew, requested the government to lift it partially.
A fruit vendor, Mohd. Dastagir sat guarding his stocks of watermelon in Saidabad. “A few watermelons have already got spoiled. If we leave them here, then there is every possibility of cattle eating them,” he feared. Andalamma, a vegetable vendor, found a safe place to conduct business in the lanes abutting the Madannapet Mandi. She had only tomatoes at her disposal and did a brisk business.
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Students heading to examination centres too had a tough time due to lack of transportation facility. Many were seen walking a long distance from Nalgonda crossroads to Saidabad to reach their centres. Most parents dropped their children at the centres. Students and parents were allowed to travel only after showing hall-tickets.
Meanwhile, Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy visited trouble-prone areas in Madannapet and Saidabad and took stock of the situation.