Tight security in Old City on Friday

HYDERABAD: In view of the fifth anniversary of the Mecca Masjid bomb blast on Friday, police have beefed up security in various parts of the old city Police said they were stepping up the security at the mosque, Charminar, other monuments, places of worship and other public places.Vehicle-checking and patrolling will be intensified. Stern action will be taken against history-sheeters and extremists. Some Muslim organisations are planning to organise protest marches and meetings on the day.A cell phone-triggered bomb went off at the historic Mecca Masjid during Friday prayers on May 18, 2007, killing nine people, while five protesters died in police firing after the blast.Terror operative and founder of militant outfit Tahreek Galba-e-Islam Viqaruddin Ahmed and his associates attacked policemen on duty on two subsequent anniversaries, killing two cops and injuring two others.Wine Shops Closed TodayHYDERABAD: The wine shops and bars in the old city will remain closed on May 18, in view of the 5th anniversary of the Mecca Masjid bomb blast.In the interest of public peace and tranquility, city police commissioner Anurag Sharma issued an order that the wine shops and bars attached to the restaurants (excluding bars in star hotels) in the old city will remain closed from 6 am of May 18 to 6 am of May 19.The closure will be in effect in South Zone-- Charminar Division, Mirchowk Division, Falaknuma Division, Santoshnagar Division; East Zone- -Malakapet Division, Sultan Bazar Division, and West Zone--Goshamahal Division and Asifnagar Division on the said days.