Hyderabad, March 31: A motorcycle rally jointly organised by Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in connection with Hanuman Jayanti on Tuesday turned violent with mobs attacking religious structures, shops, eateries and passersby at Musheerabad, Bholakpur, Kavadiguda and Nallagutta triggering panic all over the city.
More than 20 people including a couple sustained injuries and at least 30 vehicles were damaged in the violence along the procession route. Some of the injured were admitted to Gandhi Hospital while a few others were treated as outpatients at nearby hospitals. Violence flared up at Ranganagar, Siddique Nagar, Mohammed Nagar, Gulshannagar and Bholakpur under Musheerabad police station limits after clashes between two groups ended up in attacking religious places, auto rickshaws, two-wheelers and a car.
In all, 10 vehicles were damaged, while five vehicles were set on fire by mobs at Musheerabad and Bholakpur. A vain bid was also made to damage a religious structure at Musheerabad crossroads. The rally that commenced from Gowliguda and passed through Koti and Narayanguda was peaceful till RTC crossroads. Trouble broke out after the rally reached Golconda crossroads when unidentified persons attacked an auto driver and later two persons on a bike were chased and assaulted in the same area.
At Musheerabad also, groups engaged in clashes and stone pelting even as police remained mute spectators and the pandemonium continued for almost an hour.
Tension escalated further when procession reached Kavadiguda. A group of rioters tried to enter the lane connecting Bholakpur but police officials obstructed their entry by parking their vehicles. From there, rally proceeded peacefully till Subash Road via Bansilalpet, Bible House and R.P Road.
In mob attacks at Nallagutta and other adjoining places, couple of eateries, including Paradise Hotel came under attack. Paradise Hotel, however, did not suffer much damage because of nets placed to protect its glass façade. The rally culminated at Tadbun in Secunderabad.
A couple at Lamba theatre and two police constables of Bowenpally police station came under attack resulting in injuries. Tense moments were witnessed when rioters attacked a place of worship near CTO junction in Secunderabad.
–Agencies