Huge contingents of police forces, including Rapid Action Force, stood guard outside Mecca masjid, but the Friday noon prayers passed off peacefully. Some stray incidents of stone pelting were reported in some parts of the Old City.
A handful of Namajis raised slogans creating tense moments for a few seconds, but all others walked off peacefully after finishing the noon prayers. Some groups of youngsters hurled stones near Volta Hotel in Moghalpura and other areas while returning to their places from Mecca Masjid.
Additional forces were rushed to those areas. Situation was under control, said Hyderabad Police Commissioner M. Mahender Reddy, who was monitoring security arrangements sitting in Charminar ACP's office.
Areas surrounding Mecca Masjid and Charminar were taken over by police from the morning though movement of traffic was allowed.
From constables to top police officials, everyone moving on the roads wore riot gear. Wielding lathis, carrying stone-guards and wearing helmets, they stood guard on the roads. Hyderabad Additional Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar too patrolled vulnerable areas on foot wearing riot gear.
