A tense situation unfolded in the Kalapather area of Hyderabad’s Old City late Sunday night after a home guard allegedly assaulted a group of youngsters. According to reports, the incident occurred around 11:30 PM when two police constables on patrol spotted a few boys sitting at a street corner. In an attempt to disperse them, one officer swung his lathi, allegedly striking a youth. This led to a heated confrontation, with some of the boys recording the incident on their mobile phones. As the situation escalated, the home guard reportedly attacked those filming, further aggravating tensions. The incident, captured on video, quickly spread among local residents, drawing criticism of police behavior. Many locals claim that such instances of police excesses have become routine in the Old City, particularly at night, raising concerns about harassment under the guise of maintaining law and order.
Following the altercation, the police left the area, but the incident did not go unnoticed. Local residents and community leaders gathered at the scene, condemning the use of force and demanding accountability. They alleged that Kalapather police regularly target youth in residential colonies late at night, questioning them unnecessarily and sometimes resorting to violence. This is not the first time such allegations have surfaced; a similar case was reported in the Moghalpura area last year when an inspector, Durga Prasad, was transferred for misconduct after allegedly harassing and assaulting civilians. His actions were linked to Mission Chabutra, a Hyderabad police initiative aimed at discouraging youth from loitering at night. While the program was introduced with the intent of preventing crime, critics argue that it has led to unchecked police aggression, disproportionately targeting young men in the Old City.
The latest incident has reignited debates over police accountability and the treatment of civilians in Hyderabad’s Old City. Activists and community members are calling for a transparent investigation into the conduct of the involved officers and are demanding strict disciplinary action. With video evidence circulating online, pressure is mounting on authorities to address the issue and prevent further occurrences. Meanwhile, city officials have assured that they will look into the matter and take necessary steps to ensure that law enforcement actions remain within legal and ethical boundaries. However, with a history of similar incidents, many locals remain skeptical about whether any real change will follow.
