Hyderabad, March 29: The victims of the riots that broke out in the Old City on Sunday spilled into Osmania General Hospital with bleeding injuries and tales of religious intolerance.
Abdul Bari, a 26-year-old was on his way back from his weekly visit to the dargah in Nampally when he and his friend were attacked. Riding his two-wheeler when attacked near Puranapul, Bari said he fell from the bike along with his friend and about 15 men showered them with blows. They damaged his vehicle too, he said.
Bari suffered bad bruises on his hands, chest and legs and was shifted to Osmania General Hospital (OGH) by some locals. Bari, who runs a mobile shop said that his friend also suffered bleeding injuries but managed to escape.
Over 20 people who suffered bleeding injuries after being hit by sticks, glass objects and stones were rushed to OGH from Sunday evening till night. Chaos prevailed at the hospital with people from local areas rushed to the hospital to check the condition of the injured leading to much rush in the hospital’s corridors. Duty doctors at the hospital said that cases were reported from Gowliguda Chaman, new Osman Gunj, Siddiambar Bazaar, Hussainialam and Sultan Bazaar on Sunday.
Earlier, on Saturday night when tension erupted, 10 people had been rushed to the hospital. Among the injured, three are from the police and two from the media. “Trouble-mongers are asking names, noticing things written on the vehicles and targeting them. Police and Rapid Action Force though deployed in most parts of Old City in the wake of Saturday’s trouble were mute spectators,’’ said Mohammed Ismail, 49-year-old, who was injured.
Sixteen-year-old Mohammed Shoeb who was returning home with his father on a two-wheeler was beaten up near Shanker Sher Hotel at Gowliguda and suffered bleeding injuries and cuts on his head, chest and neck. He said that the men followed him till the police station.
“I ran to the police station bleeding but they even came inside. A constable sent them away. In the melee, I got separated from my father who was with me. They pelted stones, hurled glass bottles and beat us with sugarcane sticks,’’ said Shoeb who had bandages all over his body. Shoeb said that his vehicle was also burnt by the mob.
Mohammed Azhar, a flower merchant who was helping the injured, said that it was a usual business day for them at Osman Gunj when people came in droves and started damaging property.
OGH duty doctor Dr Mohammed Rafi said that 15 cases were brought to the hospital and two who suffered critical injuries have been admitted.
-Agencies