After arresting seven more persons in connection with Sunday's communal clash in old Hyderabad on Tuesday, police claimed to have identified the main perpetrators behind the incident.
Following Tuesday's arrests, the total number of people held in the case has reached 12, as five persons had been arrested on Monday.
The Special Investigation Team of Hyderabad police, which is probing the incident, nabbed seven persons in the communally sensitive Madannapet and Saidabad areas of the old city on charges of stone-pelting, damage to public properties and stabbing, Deputy Commissioner of police (Detective Department) J Sathyanarayana told reporters.
The SIT has identified the main accused and other suspects, who are allegedly behind the communal flare-up, he said adding that efforts have been intensified to nab the absconding accused.
"The investigation has been speeded up and details with regards to the main accused is part of the investigation, which cannot be disclosed at this stage," the DCP said.
The seven arrested were Syed Amjad Ali, Mohd Nizam, Mohd Dastagir, Syed Shakir, Yousuf Siddique, Mir Mudassar Ali and M Mallikarjun Reddy, who have charged for offences under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
According to police, the situation in the curfew-bound and other areas of the city remained peaceful on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a top police officer said the indefinite curfew that is in force under Madannapet and Saidabad police station limits, is likely to be lifted on Wednesday enabling people to buy essential items. An announcement to this effect is likely to be made on Tuesday night, he added.
Indefinite curfew was clamped after communal trouble broke out, with members of two communities indulging in stabbing and heavy stone-pelting, over the alleged desecration of a place of worship last Sunday.
The police on Tuesday appealed to the media to pass on the information (including video and photos on incidents of arson, stone-pelting among others) with the police for an effective probe.
