Peace returned to the old city on Thursday. Violence had erupted in many parts of the old city after a religious flag was burnt.
However, commissioner Anurag Sharma said the police would tighten security in the sensitive areas of old city in view of the Juma prayers on Friday.
He said extra forces including the Rapid Action Force and the APSP would be deployed at the Charminar and other areas.
Mr Sharma said that the police would install CCTV cameras at important spots. “With the help of these cameras, the police can identify rioters,” he said.
The commissioner also met the United Muslim Action Committee and other religious leaders and requested them to cooperate with the police to maintain peace.
The religious leaders including UMAC chairman Abdul Rahim Qureshi promised their cooperation.
The police chief later told the media that cases have been booked in old city police stations in connection with the violence.
“The process of booking cases and arrests are going on. We would take stern action against those who engage in violence,” Mr Sharma said. He added that life in the Old City had become normal.
Meanwhile, tension mounted at Lal Darwaza on Thursday when the body of a victim, who died in a road mishap near the Charminar, was taken for burial. People shouted slogans against the police near the Nehru statue.
The victim, S. Rahul Deep, 27, an electrical engineer from Lal Darwaza, died on the spot when a police vehicle hit him. However, due to the heavy police presence, there was no violence.
South Zone deputy commissioner of police Akun Sabarwal confirmed that there was no violence in the old city on Thursday.
so far.