Muslims display placards during a protest rally on the occasion of 25th anniversary of Babari mosque demolition, in New Delhi on December 6. (PTI Photo)
New Delhi/Lucknow, December 6 (IANS): The 25th anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Uttar Pradesh passed off peacefully in Hyderabad on Wednesday amid tight security. Police said no untoward incident was reported from any part of the city as security personnel kept a tight vigil, especially in the communally sensitive old city area.
The shutdown called by various Muslim groups evoked a mixed response in Muslim-majority parts of the old city. Many shops and business establishments were closed in markets around the historic Charminar.
Police arrested activists of Darasgah Jihad-o-Shadat (DJS) when they tried to take out a rally in Darulshifa in violation of ban orders.
Holding black flags and raising slogans to demand reconstruction of the Babri Masjid, DJS workers tried to take out a march but were arrested.
The afternoon prayers at the historic Makkah Masjid passed off peacefully. As attempts to take out a rally from the mosque in the past had led to violence, police and paramilitary forces kept a close watch on the situation this time.
Though private schools had not declared a holiday, many parents did not send their wards as a precautionary measure.
In response to a call by various organisations to observe the anniversary as a "black day", people in some areas put up black flags.
Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) and other Muslim parties had called for the shutdown to demand reconstruction of the Babri Masjid at its original site in Ayodhya.
Police had imposed prohibitory orders across the city, banning meetings and rallies. Police also conducted a flag march in the old city to instil confidence among its residents.
Ealrier, authorities have stepped up security across Uttar Pradesh on the 25th anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya.
Twenty-seven additional companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) have been posted all over the state.
Of these, six companies each have been deployed in Lucknow and in Faizabad district, which includes the temple town of Ayodhya.
Ayodhya has been divided into four zones and 10 sectors and prohibitory orders have been issued banning the assembly of four or more people.
Mobs allied to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) tore down the 16th century Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, triggering widespread communal riots all over the country.
While the VHP -- which claims the Babri Masjid was built at the birthplace of Hindu god Rama -- has been celebrating the demolition as 'Shaurya Diwas', some Muslim groups observe December 6 as a "black day". All firecracker shops have been asked to shut down, officials said. Police been asked to arm themselves with riot gear as well as rubber bullet guns.
