Call for relaxing night curbs at Charminar

Hyderabad: After the Sunday Funday concept on Tank Bund became a major hit, demands are being made for relaxing night restrictions at the historic monument of Charminar. “During the day, there is a lot of business activity around the monument and it is very hectic and crowded. So we prefer to visit the place at […]

Hyderabad: After the Sunday Funday concept on Tank Bund became a major hit, demands are being made for relaxing night restrictions at the historic monument of Charminar.

“During the day, there is a lot of business activity around the monument and it is very hectic and crowded. So we prefer to visit the place at night,” said Raghunath, a software professional from Nagole. The flow of visitors usually starts around 10.30 pm and continues for almost one hour. By 11.30 pm, the police reach the spot and send away the people.

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“At times, police stop people at Gulzar Houz or near the Charminar bus-stand itself and send them away saying the place is closed for visitors,” said Manohar Raj from Banjara Hills.

Families and groups of friends including software professionals and students staying in hostels from different areas of the city reach Charminar, with some even organising small birthday celebrations near the monument.

“The surroundings of Charminar are quite spacious and over a period of time, the place has gained popularity among the city youth and families. People travel from far-off places in the city for an hour to reach the place. Asking them to leave sharp at midnight is not proper. The government should allow people to hang around till 2 am,” one of the visitors.

“When the authorities can allow discos and pubs to run till next morning, what’s wrong in allowing people at Charminar? The place is covered by surveillance cameras and I don’t think security issues should be an issue” said Mohd Ishtiaq, a software professional from Tolichowki.

When contacted, a police official said they enforce the closure of shops at 12 am across the city. “We received certain complaints of harassment of women and other immoral activities. Also, the place is a sensitive area which is why we do not allow people to gather in the night,” he said.

The AIMIM’s Charminar MLA Mumtaz Ahmed Khan said the government had earlier proposed to start a night bazaar and promote nightlife at Charminar and its surroundings. “We will follow up the proposal with the authorities,” the MLA said.

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