Police lift day curfew in riot-hit Hyderabad

HYDERABAD - After more than a week of tension, people in parts of communally sensitive Hyderabad breathed easier Monday with curfew being relaxed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Amid massive security arrangements, life returned to near normalcy in the old city and other areas, which were rocked by communal violence last week.

Police Commissioner A.K. Khan, however, warned that any untoward incident would lead to reimposition of the curfew.

Police said prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more people would continue across the city and asked public leaders not to visit-riot hit areas. Pillion riding on two-wheelers has also banned between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Khan told reporters that night curfew would continue till the situation completely returned to normal.

Indefinite curfew was imposed March 29 in all 17 police stations areas of the old city and on March 30 in eight police station areas of the new city following communal clashes.

The curfew was relaxed for a couple of hours April 1 but there was no relaxation the following day. Curfew was relaxed for three hours April 3 and 4.

The riots, which broke out March 27 in the old city, claimed two lives and left over 150 people injured. The clashes started after two groups attacked each other following a dispute over religious flags.

Police said they registered 152 cases and arrested 165 people between March 27 and March 31. Additional Police Commissioner Tirumala Rao told reporters Sunday night that 100 people were released after they were taken into preventive custody.