Andhra Pradesh remained peaceful and no untoward incident was reported post the Ayodhya verdict on Thursday.
The police have maintained a tight vigil in the state with a large posse of security personnel posted at ‘sensitive’ locations anticipating trouble.
In Hyderabad and elsewhere, offices and commercial houses were closed from afternoon. Some offices had asked their employees to report to duties early and leave by 3 in the evening. Schools and colleges too remained closed.
The old city of Hyderabad turned into a fortress with many armed police patrolling the streets. The vigil will continue for three more days. The police have also clamped orders not allowing pillion riding in the twin cities during nights. The intelligence network is on a high alert to monitor the movement and activities of anti-social elements.
Chief minister K Rosaiah reviewed the law and order situation in the state with Director General of Police Aravinda Rao at the camp office today. Home minister P Sabita Reddy appealed to the people to maintain restraint and ensure a peaceful atmosphere.
Aravinda Rao yesterday appealed to the youth from both the communities to exercise restraint and not resort to violence after the court verdict. He warned of stern action against those causing trouble.
The ban on bulk SMSes is still on till tomorrow.
The Confederation of Voluntary Organisations has proposed candle light vigils across cities on October 2 to promote communal harmony.
Kerala
In Kerala too the situation remained peaceful. Life was normal, though shops were closed in some parts of the state in the afternoon.
Most of the schools had declared holiday in the afternoon session. Till 6 pm, no organisation, either Muslim or Hindu, called for hartal, procession or any type of agitation.
State chief minister VS Achuthanandan had appealed to the people to stay calm and work for communal harmony and peace. He also convened a high-level meeting of police officials in the evening to beef up security in the light of the verdict.
Oommen Chandy, opposition leader of the state Assembly, said that the verdict would strengthen communal harmony in the country. Most of the leaders were busy with the local body election and their immediate response to the verdict was not available. All the frontline Muslim organisations too had urged people to remain calm.
Security was beefed up in all parts of the state especially in cities like Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram and all the district headquarters.In some districts like Kozhikode the police enforced a ban on processions, rallies etc under Section 144 of the Police Act.
The police sources said strict actions would continue for the next two days. They had arrested two persons in Kollam allegedly for sending provocative SMS.
