There seem to be some patterns,some instigation8230; first response delayed

With curfew relaxed for a few hours on Thursday and no untoward incidents reported,Hyderabad Police Commissioner A K Khan was confident that the situation was improving....

With curfew relaxed for a few hours on Thursday and no untoward incidents reported,Hyderabad Police Commissioner A K Khan was confident that the situation was improving. While speaking to Johnson T A,Khan said the police will have to reassess the situation before deciding on further curfew relaxation. He added that there will be no relaxation of curfew during Friday prayers.

The violence seen in the Old City over the past few days was triggered by the issue of placement of religious buntings and banners in the streets by rival groups. Is it not illegal to put up these in public places?

As per law,police permission is required to put up buntings and banners in public places. Over the past two to three years this provision of law has not been strictly enforced. We want to enforce it henceforth. Even where they have been allowed to be put up they should be removed within a certain period. We are asking the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to remove all existing buntings and banners over the next few days.

You have hinted that the violence was orchestrated by hidden hands. Can you elaborate?

There appears to be some patterns,some instigation. Only a professional probe will enable us to get to the bottom of it. We have to look closely at the patterns and designs involved.

The general complaint is that the police were slow in reacting to the situation. The tough stance came a little late in the day.

Hyderabad has seen a series of law and order issues in the past few months. There has been the Telangana agitation,the corporation polls. There has been trouble at the university. Policemen have been continuously involved in managing these situations. The initial reaction was a little delayed,but once re-enforcements came it was brought under control.

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Has the turmoil in Andhra Pradesh in the recent months weakened the police force?

I wont say that. They have been working day and night and they have had little rest for the past few months. I appreciate the men for rising to the occasion despite all this.

There is an impression that factional politics has affected the functioning of the police.

I dont think so. The police are a professional unit. We have taken oath to work under the Constitution,and we are doing it.