The Hyderabad police moved to shore up security in the Old City and at the US consulate, anticipating protests by Muslim groups against an anti-Islamic film that has triggered trouble at US embassies in the Middle East and North Africa.
They have requisitioned additional forces to keep the peace at mosques this coming Friday, when Muslims congregate for communal prayers.
Top police sources said some organisations like the Popular Front of India (PFI) and Darsgah Jihad-O-Shahadat (DJS) are likely to stage protests in the city.
A police officer said permission will not be given for protests at the US consulate. “We may, however, allow protesters to submit a representation,” he said.
Senior police officials have taken various political parties into confidence to ensure peace in the city. ‘’Old City-based parties have assured us they will hold protests in a peaceful manner,” the officer said.
Security in and around the US consulate was beefed up immediately after Wednesday’s violence at the US mission in Benghazi, Libya in which the American ambassador was killed.
In the normal course, 10 policemen man the outer cordon (front and rear) of the consulate at Begumpet in addition to a patrol vehicle comprising five policemen. Now 10 more men have been deployed to conduct vehicle checks.
‘’We have deployed 10 more men besides the existing component which includes armed constables. They will take up vehicle checks and will keep track of people’s movements in the area,’’ DCP (north) Ch Srikanth told Express. “A bomb disposal team is regularly conducting checks throughout the day. This arrangement will continue till the threat exists,’’ he added. Inside the consulate, two platoons of City Armed Reserve (CAR) are in position
Police Warn Troublemakers
HYDERABAD: Hyderabad police commissioner Anurag Sharma on Thursday warned that severe action will be taken against any person found disseminating any material which may hurt sentiments of certain community.
Meanwhile, a delegation led by Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi met DGP (law and order) Syed Anwarul Huda and additional DGP (intelligence) M Mahender Reddy on Thursday evening while MIM general secretary MLA Janab Syed Ahmed Pasha Quadri made a representation to Anurag Sharma on the issue.
In a deliberate attempt to denigrate Islam across the world, a provocative movie titled 'Innocence of Muslims', that not only commits blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed but also tends to create communal disharmony, are being circulated on social media, the commissioner said, adding that there is every possibility that anti-social elements try to take advantage of the situation in a bid to foment trouble in the twin cities.
"We request people to keep a watch on unruly elements as well as provocateurs," Anurag said.
The police are taking steps by banning the screening of the movie on Youtube and other social media under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
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