HYDERABAD, Andhra Pradesh, India—A troubled calm prevails on Thursday in the areas of Hyderabad hit by Sikh-Muslim riot. Amid tense circumstances, an indefinite curfew continues in Kishan Bagh, Sikh Chowni, and Arsh Mahal areas, with no untoward incidences reported since Wednesday morning, when the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel opened fire on protesters leaving three people dead, and several injured.
A large number of policemen and paramilitary forces have maintained a tight vigil in areas rocked by clashes early Wednesday after a Nishan Sahib (flag of Sikhs) was found burnt.
The dead were buried late Wednesday amid tight security. Eight persons who received bullet injuries, and others were who were injured in the mob attacks are undergoing treatment in hospitals.
The police have also beefed up security in the old city areas abutting the riot-hit neighborhood.
The BSF action of resortiing to gun fire and shooting into the crowd has come under severe public criticism. The residents of Arsh Mahal allege that the security force opened fire on them without warning. Some officials admitted the situation could have been controlled without shooting people.
Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) is demanding a judicial probe into the police shooting. In a letter to governor ESL Narasimhan, the MIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi demanded an inquiry be held by a sitting judge of the high court.
