The bandh call given by Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) marking the 20th anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition had evoked partial response in the city and the day passed off peacefully without any untoward incidents taking place anywhere.
The bandh, however, had its impact on the Old City but the other side of the river Musi, the New City, remained abuzz with activity all through the day, giving the bandh a big thumbs down. Business establishments and offices functioned undisrupted.
Police, who kept a tight vigil in the Old City, are ready to combat another challenge as they apprehend another bout of violent protests on Friday.
Though business establishments remained closed in the Old City, there were no restrictions on the movement of traffic albeit for a brief period when noon congregational prayers were held at the Mecca Masjid.
Shops at Osmangunj and other roads leading to the Old City operated smoothly but the other part of the Musi, the Old City, wore a deserted look. Except for an odd foot wear shop or a pan dabba, all the shops were shuttered owing to bandh.
The jewellery shops on Gulzar Houz and Patterghatti were closed and the case was same with the famous bangle stores in Laad Bazar. Charminar was closed and would remain closed on Friday too. On the other hand, ATMs and petrol bunks operated unhindered. Road side vendors were seen swarming and autos and RTC buses plied.
Policemen from various wings including APSP, Task Force and local police apart from Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed in the Old city.
The only protest was witnessed by the Darsgah-e-Jihad-O-Shahadat (DJS) activists at their office at Moghulpura. More than 20 activists of the fundamentalist organisation emphatically came out of the office and burnt an effigy of the judiciary when they were taken into preventive custody and shifted to police station. They were later let off.
Meanwhile, police are gearing up for Friday noon prayers. More than the Babri masjid anniversary the police have been anticipating trouble during the Friday noon prayers. Night patrolling had been intensified and police pickets have been set up at troublesome spots.
“The security will be more tightened for Friday,’’ city police commissioner Anurag Sharma said. Since the last few weeks after the Bhagyalakshmi temple row, Muslim youths were taking up protests after offering namaz in the Mecca Masjid. They want to perform prayers at a place of worship inside the Charminar which was being objected by the police in view of the prevailing law and order situation.