Three persons were killed and at least 28 injured, 13 of them in police firing, on Saturday night during communal clashes in the Gowlipura-Sultan Shahi area of the Old City in Hyderabad.
The violence began in Gowlipura, Sultan Shahi, Aliabad, Shah Ali Banda, Hari Bowli and Nasheman Nagar localities around 9.30 pm following stone-pelting by people of two communities. Soon, riotous mobs resorted to arson and looting, setting afire a dozen houses, shops and hotels.
Police reinforcements were rushed to the area. The police opened over 100 rounds of fire to disperse the clashing mobs that were armed with lethal weapons.
Fire tenders were rushed to the spot to put out the fire. Commissioner of Police R P Singh and other top officials rushed to the affected areas with reinforcements.
Even late in the night, rioting had not stopped while the police was trying to control the situation. Police had sealed off the routes leading to the affected areas.
The injured were rushed to Osmania General Hospital. There were some tense moments in the hospital premises when some persons who accompanied the injured tried to gherao Commercial Taxes Minister K Vijayarama Rao. Police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the unruly persons.
Muslims organisations had called for a bandh in the Old City, which was duly observed. Earlier in the day, the police had averted a clash between activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Muslim youth in Gowlipura and adjoining areas.
Local Muslims were observing a 'black bay' while the VHP activists were celebrating the demolition of the Babri Masjid (in Ayodhya).
In another incident, a group of youth raised slogans when the police prevented them from proceeding towards Charminar following the afternoon prayers at the Mecca Masjid.
Pushed back into the dingy lanes of Moghalpura, the youth pelted stones on vehicles and houses in Haribowli. Two vehicles were damaged in the incident.