One of the injured being brought to Osmania Hospital late last night after communal clashes left 6 dead. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf

By K. Srinivas Reddy

Hyderabad, Dec 7. Curfew was imposed in eight police station limits of the hypersensitive old city areas as communal violence claimed at least six lives on Saturday night, though sources put the death toll at seven.

Three of the victims died when police opened fire to quell riotous mobs which resorted to free-for-all pitched battles at several localities, where incidents of arson were also reported in the wee hours of Sunday.

As the situation slipped out of control, curfew was imposed in Falaknuma, Shahalibanda, Chatrinaka, Moghalpura, Mirchowk, Bhavaninagar, Dabirpura and Reinbazar police station limits.

With the situation remaining tense even this morning, the Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu rushed to the trouble torn areas.

Tension was building up at the Osmania General Hospital where scores of injured were admitted.

With politicians of different parties rushing there to call on the injured along with their supporters, slogans and counter-slogans were being raised on the hospital premises.

Additional police contingents from neighbouring districts of Nalgonda, Warangal, Karimnagar and Medak have been rushed to the old city.

The situation is tense, but no untoward incidents were reported this morning.

According to a PTI report four persons died due to stabbing while two others succumbed to bullet injuries at Osmania General Hospital.

Quoting police sources, the report said that Rapid Action Force had been deployed in the riot-hit areas to maintain peace and order.

More pictures