South Zone police took 170 people with criminal records into preventive custody on Thursday, the eve of the fifth anniversary of the Mecca Masjid blast. The preventive detention is part of security measures to avoid any untoward incident on Friday, deputy commissioner of police, South Zone, Mr Akun Sabharwal, said.
Mr Sabharwal said checking of vehicles and frisking, among other measures, were also on. “We have already conducted searches in lodges, function halls etc. in the city. The threat perception is not high this time but police patrolling has been intensified,” he said. “There will not be any special force deployment and the normal security measures for the Friday prayers will continue.” He also said there was adequate force in South Zone to tackle any exigency.
Meanwhile, in-charge police commissioner Anurag Sharma ordered closure of all liquor shops and bars attached to restaurants, excluding bars in luxury hotels, within eight divisions under South, East and West Zone limits to maintain peace and tranquility on Friday. The order will be in effect from 6 am on Friday to 6 am on Saturday in Charminar, Mirchowk, Falaknuma, Santoshnagar, Malakpet, Sultan Bazar, Goshamahal and Asifnagar divisions.