As the old city continued to simmer keeping security forces on the edge, the city police on Sunday requested people not to give credence to rumours being spread through text messages and social networking sites.
Rumours have been spreading thick and fast after controversy over erection of a shed at Sri Bhagyalaxmi Temple at Charminar began a few days ago. “The malicious and inflammatory content of certain sites is also being taken into cognisance and efforts are on to identify and prosecute perpetrators,” a press note issued from the City Police Commissioner’s office said here on Sunday.
The note said a section of print and electronic media were repeatedly projecting the law enforcement agencies in a partisan manner. “We are here to maintain law and order and we do not have any reason to favour any particular group,” police officials clarified, adding that action would be taken against the mediapersons under the provisions of Cable TV Network (Regulation) Act 1995 for airing biased reports.
Following High Court’s interim directions to the Sate Government to maintain status quo at the temple as on October 30, 2012, Hyderabad Collector and GHMC Commissioner consulted Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to determine the status as on October 30. The ASI gave its opinion in writing that the temporary structure had a cover. Based on these facts, authorities permitted Bhagyalaxmi Temple Committee to cover the temple structure with tarpaulin sheets, as an interim measure, which the committee carried out on Sunday. “Since it was a sensitive issue, we deployed police forces to maintain peace,” a police official said.
Meanwhile, the police had registered 18 cases against those involved in the violence that erupted in parts of old city. At Chandrayangutta crossroads, Anmol Hotel, Edi Bazar, Kalabhairavi Temple, Hussainialam, Musabowli crossroads, protesters resorted to stone pelting in which four RTC buses, two cars, glass panes of an ATM centre and a garments shop were damaged.
“The situation in old city is under control. Additional forces have been deployed in all sensitive areas to maintain peace. Pickets and patrolling have been organised in all sensitive areas to prevent any untoward incident,” the official added.
BJP demands probe
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Bandaru Dattatreya on Sunday demanded a high level probe by an official of the rank of DGP into the recent incidents in old city. He also welcomed the decision of the State government to abide by the High Court verdict in connection with the Bhagyalaxmi temple issue.
