MIM legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi, who was arrested yesterday by Nirmal police and sent to judicial custody after he was produced before the first class magistrate, wanted to go to Chanchalguda jail. The court, however, turned down the petition of Akbaruddin Owaisi. On the other hand, police moved a petition seeking 14 days police custody of Akbaruddin Owaisi. The court would hear the petition of the police after lunch today. He is currently at district jail in Adilabad. DIG Bheemanayak has said that Akbaruddin Owaisi has been treated as an ordinary prisoner. Nonetheless, he has said that necessary medical facilities would be provided to Owaisi.

Also, MIM apaprently called for a statewide bandh today to protest the arrest. Except in Bhaisa and in some parts of the state, bandh evoked no response. On the other hand, protests went on at the old city area of Hyderabad and condemned the arrest of Akbaruddin. Protesters have even burnt the effigy of chief minister Kiran Kumar and raised slogans against him.

Tight security has been arranged in many parts of Hyderabad especially in the sensitive areas that include Chandrayanagutta, Dabirpura, Malakpet, Charminar and Saidabad. The police urged the public to maintain peace and restrain.

(AW Phani)