Hyderabad:
For two hours on Thursday morning, it was life as usual in the Old city in Hyderabad. The curfew imposed since Monday was lifted briefly so that people could restock their kitchens since, after this, they will not be allowed to venture out till Saturday, at the very least.
(In Pics: Where is the hustle bustle of Hyderabad?)Communal tension in the area simmered for a month, as Muslims and Hindus celebrated major festivals. Political groups of both sides used the occasion as a show of strength. Their agendas were allegedly fuelled by radical elements that have arrived in Andhra Pradesh, a few at a time, from neighbouring Maharashtra. Two people were killed in the riots that followed, close to 150 were injured this past weekend.
(Read & Watch: Hyderabad police tries to crack conspiracy behind riots)``Everyone is struggling. That includes people of both communities,'' says Mohammed Yusuf, a resident of the Old city for the last thirty years.
The Charminar, a stone's throw away, usually packed with noisy tourists, has become the place where security men take a break from their patrol.
Amidst the religious and ideological debate, there are thousands of families who say their neighbourhoods have been turned into unwilling battlegrounds.
In one of these areas, a truck laden with vegetables pulls up. Dozens of families rush to grab potatoes, brinjal, tomatoes. An impromptu auction follows that could put Sotheby's to shame.
A housewife complains," Everything is being sold at higher rates. What costs one rupee is being sold for five rupees."
Since Wednesday, there has been no communal violence. But a wary police force has banned all public meetings in Hyderabad indefinitely. ``It has been decided not to allow any processions, public meetings or dharnas in the city for quite sometime till we gain total control over the law and order situation,'' says Police Commissioner AK Khan.