Naidu orders judicial probe

An indefinite curfew was clamped under the limits of eight police stations in the walled city, and 21 platoons of paramilitary forces were deployed in the Old City. There have been no reports of violence since this morning. Curfew was declared in the following police stations: Dabbeerpura, Shaalibanda, Charminar, Falaknuma, Rain Bazar, Moghulpura, Bhavani Nagar and Mirchowk.

Chandrababu Naidu, accompanied by Home Minister T. Devender Goud, DGP S.R. Sukumara and City Police Commissioner R.P. Singh, visited the riot-hit areas and consoled the victims. ‘‘The judicial probe would look into all angles and find out those who are responsible for the riots,’’ Naidu said.

Clashes began at the fag end of observance of ‘‘Black Day’’, where persons of a certain community commemorated the demolition of Babri Masjid. They were countered by activists of another community, who celebrated ‘‘Shourya Divas’’ on the same issue.

Police opened fire at Sultan Shahi and Gowlipura areas late in the night, to stop mobs resorting to looting and arson.

Most of the injured were admitted to Osmania General Hospital on the northern bank of Musi river. The victims recounted their woes to Naidu, who called on them at the hospital. On hearing their complaints that the late arrival of the police worsened the situation, Naidu ordered officials to initiate action against the police officers responsible.