Hyderabad, April 30 (Siasat News): The Traders in the twin cities particularly in the Begum bazaar area are angry at the Police’s highhandedness in arresting traders under various sections meant for murderers cheating etc and have demanded the Police to immediately withdraw these sections and also release the persons arrested.
It maybe recalled that during the last communal riots as well as subsequent fall out of Vicaruddin Terrorist scare the Police are leaving no stone unturned to ensure law and order and peace in the twin cities, However during the communal riots the traders have been arrested under sections 307 (attempt to murder ),147 SECTION 120, 148,323,427 153.
The Hyderabad Kirana merchants association President Ghanshyam Bhatti and Mahesh Gupta General Secretary in a memorandum to the Commissioner of Police has demanded the immediate the scrapping of these sections and the release of the traders immediately. They pointed out that such sections against traders don’t stand ground as the traders are not anti social elements that such sections are imposed .It is unfortunate that the police was behaving in a high handed manner in this context they said.
Further more referring to the recent news that Begum bazaar was being looked as a soft target by the terrorist the Kirana merchants association requested the police to set up fool proof arrangements for the security .Although the police has increased its patrolling in the area and have increased the force the other problem arising is due to the checks being maintained the traders are being harassed when the police seeks information from them when they get money from banks or through trading activities. Hence vexed at this attitude the Traders have asked the police to stop harassing the traders but at the same time ensure security is in place .
Meanwhile the Police in a circular released by the Shahinayath gunj has sent a circular to all shops titled Hyderabad city Police west zone which reads that all shops should install security equipment like door frame metal detectors at commercial complexes , install cctv cameras , to keep private security personnel managing the security equipment ,to keep an arrangement for keeping the bags and cell phones of visitors outside ,Do not permit to park unknown vehicles in front of their shopping complex do not allow any goods in front of their shops and commercial shopping complex unauthorizedly and advise customer to keep their bag and baggages outside.Failing leal action will be taken on unauthorized parked known or unknown vehicles .There is also an advisory for the shops to remain closed after 9 pm.
The traders have been warned that if the timings are not strictly implemented they would be challaned. The letter further reads that in view of the present scenario anything suspicious should be immediately informed to the police.
While the traders have agreed to implement some of the measures they pointed out that the police help is required since private security personnel cannot check legally people’s bags and baggage. Presently however the police force has been increased in Begum bazaar area and there is a patrol van in the evenings asking the shops to shut down as per the time announced .The van also informs the people continuously of reporting any unknown vehicles or objects and warns them not to touch any unidentified object .As a result of this shopkeepers are downing their shutter religiously at 9 pm.
–Siasatnews