
Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand along with the Waqf Board Chairman Syed Azmathullah Hussain, religious scholars Dr. Moulana Nissar Hussain and Moulana Waheeduddin Hyder Jaffri, and other key civic and technical department heads, at a meeting in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: Arrangement
In a high-level coordination meeting held on Tuesday, the Hyderabad police outlined extensive security, traffic management and civic measures to ensure the peaceful conduct of the annual Muharram procession, particularly the Bibi-ka-Alam event scheduled for July 6 or 7, subject to the sighting of the crescent moon.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand detailed key provisions including the deployment of crime teams from all police stations, dedicated police platoons, and She Teams, with a specific emphasis on preventing eve-teasing and maintaining order throughout the procession route.
Speaking at the meeting at Salarjung Museum, the official emphasised the importance of proactive inter-departmental collaboration. The official also addressed specific concerns raised by community representatives. Regarding the elephant that participates in the Bibi-ka-Alam procession, he advised it be brought into the city two to three days in advance to ensure it is well-rested.
To ease movement and avoid congestion, police have planned sufficient vehicle parking and traffic diversions. The meeting was attended by senior police officials, elected representatives including MLAs, and an MLC, Waqf Board Chairman Syed Azmathullah Hussain, religious scholars Moulana Nissar Hussain and Moulana Waheeduddin Hyder Jaffri, and other key civic and technical department heads.
However, the meeting also drew criticism from an important group of stakeholders — the caretakers of Hyderabad’s historic ashoorkhanas. In a statement issued after the meeting, they expressed dissatisfaction over their exclusion from the official platform. “Unfortunately, the Mirchowk Division of South Zone Police did not properly invite us, the caretakers of ashoorkhanas, who are the main stakeholders in Muharram. We were not given the opportunity to share the stage or raise our concerns,” the statement read.
The statement continued, “We’re not buying their last-minute, half-hearted efforts to appease the community. No more ‘eye wash’! Our decision to boycott their meetings is a testament to our unity and resolve.”
They called upon the police commissioner to organise a separate coordination meeting directly with ashoorkhana caretakers, adding that they were willing to cooperate fully with the police in ensuring a smooth and respectful observance of Muharram.
Published – June 24, 2025 11:53 pm IST