Hyderabad: Three persons were killed and at least 20 injured at Kishanbagh in Hyderabad in the early hours of Wednesday, when the Border Security Force opened fire on two warring groups. The firing took place under the Cyberabad Commissionerate limits.
The burning of a religious flag by unidentified miscreants on Tuesday night triggered the violent clash. The situation was brought under control by afternoon.
The flag was planted on a hillock near a graveyard in Rajendranagar, which is adjacent to Bahadurpura in Hyderabad. The incident came to light on Wednesday at around 5.30 am. Members of one community, angered by the act of desecration, attacked those they believed were responsible and tension mounted in surrounding areas (Arsh Mahal and Sikh Chawni).
The mob ran around the dense slums and attacked people randomly, most of them still fast asleep. Armed with swords and granite stones, they entered houses and attacked whoever was there, man, woman, or child. They damaged about five houses and set them on fire.
About 15 vehicles were either burnt or smashed. Local leaders rushed to the spot and tried to bring the situation under control. But the mob, which consisted mostly of youngsters, continued the attack.
The situation went out of control as an opposing force retaliated with heavy stone-pelting. The local police, Rapid Action Force (RAF) and platoons of the BSF were all sent in.
It still took time to stop the attacks by both sides who roamed around shouting slogans and armed with swords and granite stones. The police used tear gas, but when that failed to disperse the mob, they resorted to firing.
Police fire tear gas after two groups clashed in Sikh Chavadi in the old city on Wednesday (Photo: Deccan Chronicle)
Meanwhile, following rioting and attacks on houses, Cyberabad police commissioner C.V. Anand and top officials of Hyderabad Police arrived at the spot and reviewed the situation. A curfew was imposed at Rajendranagar, where the incident took place.
Stating that they resorted to firing after tear gas failed to disperse the mob, Cyberabad joint commissioner of police Y. Gangadhar said, “We warned them and repeatedly announced that they must disperse. About 300 to 400 persons were on the ground. Numerous teargas shells were fired to clear them. It was then we opened fire in the air. Three people have died in the firing. The injured are stable.”
The police insisted that firing in the air was necessary to bring the situation under control. Policemen were also injured in the incident. “Due to the heavy stone-pelting, about 15 of our officials were injured. Their condition is stable. We registered a case under Sections 147,148 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code and have started an investigation,” said Rajendranagar police inspector Kushalkar.
The Hyderabad police was alerted too as the incident occurred at about half-a-kilometre away from Bahadurpura in the old city. Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma issued orders imposing 144 section at various sensitive places in the city.
Huge number of forces were deployed at various places of worship in the city as a preventive measure. Armed pickets were deployed at strategic points in the old city to ensure clashes do not spread to other areas.
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi demanded arrest of the BSF Jawans who opened fire. He asked the government to set up a probe by a sitting High Court judge into the incident. AIMIM MLAs and MP Owaisi also toured riot-hit Kishanbagh.
