HYDERABAD: Complete peace prevailed in Hyderabad division today [Jan 30] and no untoward incident was reported from any quarter. The ban imposed on political meetings and processions has been lifted. No procession or public meeting will be allowed unless seven days’ clear notice in writing [is given] to the Deputy Commissioner. A Press note issued here in this connection said no procession or public meeting of students will be allowed throughout the district.

Meanwhile, the condition of the victims of the two days’ riots is improving. The President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hyderabad, Mr Wali Mohammad Akberji, has appealed to the cloth market shop-keepers to open their shops and business establishment as indefinite closure of the market would not only paralyse the economic life of the city but cause great inconvenience to the general public. He asked the authorities to remove the legitimate grievances of the traders. The shop-keepers of New Cloth Market, it may be mentioned, are demanding protections and security, compensation for the loss suffered and transfer of some officials as well as punishment to guilty persons in Tuesday’s arson incidents. Unless these demands are met, they would not open their shops.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2020