Tension in Hyderabad: Youth Attacked, Forced to Chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’
Hyderabad, June 11 – Tension broke out in the Raidurgam area under Cyberabad police limits late on Tuesday night after a group of Muslim youths were attacked by men allegedly linked to right-wing groups.
The incident happened near a hotel around midnight on June 10. According to the victims, a group of men carrying sticks and swords entered the hotel, damaged the pantry and furniture, and then chased and beat up some Muslim youngsters. The attackers also forced them to chant “Jai Shri Ram.”
After hearing about the attack, more young men from Shaikpet arrived at the scene and raised slogans in protest. The injured victims believe it was a planned attack meant to disturb peace in the area and said that people were targeted because of their religion.
The police responded quickly and formed special teams to track down those responsible. This incident adds to a recent series of similar events in Hyderabad.
Just two days earlier, on June 8, a cattle transporter was attacked in Attapur. In another case the same day, some people burned a vehicle carrying animal waste in Jalpally, a day after Bakrid.
In NM Guda, Attapur, members of a group called “Kataar Gau Raksha Dal” stopped an auto-rickshaw with two bulls, assaulted the driver, and damaged the vehicle. This led to clashes between two groups, and when the police tried to control the situation, stones were thrown, injuring three officers.
The police have registered multiple cases in Attapur and Mailardevpally and are searching for others involved. On Monday, they arrested 25 people connected to the violence related to animal sacrifice during Eid ul-Adha.
Many activists say that violence in Hyderabad has increased around Bakrid this year. They blame the rise of right-wing groups and claim the current Congress government is failing to keep the situation under control.
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