The police arrested one person in the case of Sikh flag burning, which led to communal clash in the Arsh Mahal, near Kishanbagh.
Mohd Jahangir (50 years) and resident of Arsh Mahal and a scrap dealer was arrested after conducting an investigation. He, who resides in the house located close to the Sikh Flag (Nishan Saheb) used to burn the scrap wire once in a week. This routine activity was conducted by him in front of his house on a bolder, about fifteen feets away from the flag, as part of his business. He used sell the copper wire obtained from burning of the scrap wire.
According to Cyberabad Police, on May 13, he brought scrap cable wire weighing about 20-25 kgs to his house. On May 14, in the early hours at about 5.30 am the accused started burning the scrap wire on the boulder at a distance of 15 feet from the religious flag of Sikh community. The negligence has caused a fire flares to fall on the pedestal of Sikh flag and caught fire to the bottom of the flag staff. When the accused noticed the same, he tried to extinguish the flames.
Meanwhile noticing this, neighbours from other community Nanak Singh and Bahadur Singh approached the accused, observed the flag. When asked the accused felt threatened, as Sikhs accused him of burning the holy flag. He fled along with his family, suspecting danger.
Through investigation, the police pinned down Jahagir. He was arrested on June 17 at Hassan Nagar. The remnants of burnt wire are being produced before the court for judicial remand.
The Cyberabad Commissioner C V Anand prohibited public meetings and processions within the Cyberabad Metropolitan area without obtaining prior permission. He also prohibited carrying of arms, such as swords, spears, knives, sticks with or without flags, bludgeons, guns, explosives and other offensive weapons. (INN)