‘Captives’ take wing at first chance

Curfew break was shopping time for many families in the Old City on Thursday, but for a few it was an opportunity to flee the trouble-torn area.People headed for the houses of their relatives or friends in the new city areas or even in other districts.“Curfew relaxation gave us a chance to head for Nizamabad. We can attend an engagement function there tomorrow and also stay in peace till the situation improves in the Old City,” Rehman from Falaknuma, who was proceeding to Nizamabad with his family, told Expresso.The operation of district bus services from the Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) came as a boon to them.“Some of my friends have also temporarily shifted to safer places,” Rehman added.The case of AN Ramesh from Chandrayangutta was more pathetic. His family had to starve for two days due to lack of essentials.“Having run out of provisions, we spent two days without food. We are shifting temporarily to my relative’s place at Musheerabad,” said Ramesh, who was going along with his wife and two children.Their exit from the Old City, however, was not easy. Police blocked all the roads and only after intense persuasion were they allowed out.The blocking of the roads, on the other hand, led to traffic snarls at various place in the city. Vehicles going toward Moazamjahi Market, Koti, Abids, Putlibowli and Chandrayanagutta were diverted to other roads clogging them up and also forcing the office-goers and students to take a long detour.“I was going from Nampally to High Court and forced to take alternative routes. I got caught in the traffic jam at Nehru Chowk, Abids for more than an hour. Police played mute spectators even as traffic stalled for hours together,” Srinivas, an advocate said. Meanwhile, the CRPF personnel had to resort to mild lathicharge at Moazamjahi Market when vehicle riders insisted on proceeding towards the blocked Afzalgunj area.

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com