A curfew-like situation prevailed in several areas of the Old City for third consecutive day on Tuesday although a few markets witnessed some activitiy in view of Deepawali festival.
Large number of police and para-military forces remained deployed in the Old City, especially in the sensitive areas. Senior police officials including South Zone DCP Akun Sabharwal patrolled the areas to monitor the situation. Although the markets surrounding Charminar remained closed, the Mir Alam Mandi, Pathergatti, Madina Market and other areas in Kotla Alijah did some business in the afternoon.
Amid heavy security, the police allowed devotees to pray at the Bhagyalakshmi Temple abutting Charminar. Barricades were erected on routes leading towards Charminar at Gulzar Houz, Panch Mohalla, Lad Bazar and Sardar Mahal. Except for the devotees, no general public was allowed to go near the Charminar. Long queues of men and women were seen outside the temple who came to perform special pooja on the occasion of Diwali.
The police officials have claimed that the situation in the Old City was totally peaceful. However, the residents of the Old City complained that they were not allowed being allowed by the police to come out of their houses, even to buy essentials. Officials believe that normalcy will return to the city by Wednesday.
–Agencies