No crackdown yet in Hyderabad

Vicky Nanjappa reports: The Muslims in the Old City of Hyderabad would be reminded of the police action against them following the Mecca Masjid and twin blasts. However, this time around, they say that the police have not jumped the gun and would look to investigate this matter in a free and fair manner.

Lateef Mohammad Khan, the convenor of the Civil Liberties Movement Committee which had fought for the cause of the Muslim youth, says that there has not been a witch hunt as yet. "I have not got any complaints of the Muslim youth being rounded up,' Khan told rediff.com.

The police unlike their reactions during the earlier blasts have not made any irresponsible statement against the Muslims as yet, although the media is going hammer and tongs against the Muslim youth. "This should not only be seen in the light of a terror strike. It has come at a time when the Centre was all set to announce Telangana. This looks like a deal breaker for the movement and there is every chance that a decision will be delayed," Khan added.

"One must also look at the area in which the blasts have taken place. It is an area which has more people from Andhra when compared to Telangana. The police must also investigate that angle and we sincerely hope that there is no witch hunt against the Muslim youth unless there is a proper probe,' he added.