Shaheen Bagh-type stir won’t be allowed in Hyderabad: Top cop Anjani Kumar

HYDERABAD: Amid continuing anti-CAA protests across the country, Hyderabad commissioner of police Anjani Kumar said Shaheen Bagh-type protests will not be allowed in the city.
In response to a query as to why no case has been registered in the wake of reports that some persons are planning to organise a Shaheen Bagh-kind of sit-in, Anjani Kumar said: “Nothing like Shaheen Bagh will be allowed in Hyderabad.”
At a press conference here on Saturday, he said: ``In Hyderabad there is no Shaheen Bagh kind of protest. Hyderabad is best city in India and Hyderabad will further improve. Do not compare Hyderabad with places where all these negative things are happening. We take pride in Hyderabad. Nothing like Shaheen Bagh will be allowed. Impossible.”
He also said that no one had approached him for permission to hold a Shaheen Bagh-kind of protest till now.
He said political protests are important but law and order is more important. He clarified that Hyderabad police are not against granting permissions to those who approach them in a proper manner and whose protests do not affect others. “There are some important areas, grounds and public places in the city where we had never denied permission. If there is a denial, there is a reason.”
Anjani Kumar pointed out that more than 200 anti-CAA protests and rallies had been organised in Hyderabad. “There have been burning of vehicles, firing and people sitting for a month on dharnas in other places. But in Hyderabad, such things are not happening. We are more concerned about safety, security and comfort of common public,” he said.
The CP said some persons with vested interests had gone to court. “Court guidelines are supreme and we are imposing conditions as per the court guidelines. On Friday, two protests were allowed at Seven Tombs and Chandrayangutta,” he explained.
Anjani Kumar, however, warned that the city police would take legal action if the common public is put to inconvenience, especially those obstructing traffic movement. “In public places, sitting and causing traffic problems is not good. People who are in emergency will be affected. There is every chance of anti-social elements trying to take advantage of the situation to create a problem. That is why protesters can apply permission legally and we will definitely give permission. Our objective is not to deny permission but to facilitate protests through a proper procedure,’’ the CP added.