Author: Statesman News Service
Publication: The Statesman
Date: October 13, 2001
Introduction: Police enter Mecca
Masjid
Hyderabad, Oct. 12. - At least 30
people were injured when police thrashed people inside the Mecca Masjid
after they rained stones following the Friday prayers at the mosque near
the Charminar. For the first time police entered the historic mosque after
water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets failed to bring the violent
crowd under control.
Fifty policemen were injured including
the additional commissioner of police Mr K Arvind Rao and ACP Mr Hameed
Ali Khan. DCP Mr Umapathi received head injuries. Six people were taken
into custody, the commissioner of police, Mr P Ramulu said. Police sources,
however, said at least 25 are in custody. Hundreds of youths ran out of
the mosque as prayers ended shouting pro-Osama slogans. Some held placards
condemning the US air strikes against Afghanistan and terming them as attacks
on Muslims and Islam. They forced some shops to down their shutters. The
crowd couldn't proceed towards the Charminar due to heavy police deployment
in anticipation of trouble as this was the first Friday after the air strikes.
Traffic was diverted and buses were withdrawn in the Old City. A group
from inside the mosque rained stones and slippers on police. As if on cue
stones started flying from terraces of adjacent houses. Police directed
water cannons containing rose colour chemical water to bring the crowds
under control.
A section of the crowd moved back
and others retreated into the mosque. As the stone pelting continued police
fired tear gas shells. some of which landed in the mosque. The hoodlums
hurled some of them back. Police were forced to retreat and fired rubber
bullets.
The police commissioner, Mr P Ramulu,
asked the force to enter the mosque. Policemen severely thrashed those
who resisted inside the mosque. Some received bleeding injuries. Others
who tried to argue with police were physically removed from the mosque.
Some bolted themselves inside the iron grills but were later removed.
The Majlis Ittehadul Musilmeen MLA,
Mr Asaduddin Owaisi, objected to police entering the mosque. He asked the
officers to first order their men out. The policemen were called back.
Mr Owaisi pacified the crowds and asked them to leave the mosque. Some
of the youths who were still carrying stones were taken into custody.
Mr Owaisi condemned police entering
the mosque and termed the incident unfortunate. This is the first time
they have walked inside the mosque. They should not have gone in wearing
shoes, he said. "As I reached a major mishap was averted," he added.
Mr Ramulu told a press conference
police entered the mosque after exhausting all their options to bring the
crowds under control. The incident was pre-planned. Police are finding
out if any organisation was behind today's incidents, he said.
