"No friendly police, only Lathi charge police": Old City cops warn on shops opening after 11 pm

Hyderabad: ‘No friendly police, only lathi charge police’ is what the police in the Old City are seen saying in a video gone viral on Hyderabad social media. If any establishments are seen open beyond 11 pm, police are keen on taking lathi action.

The video, reportedly from Old City’s Bahadurpura, shows police threatening traders to shut shops by 11 pm or be prepared to be thrashed.

“11 ke baad idhar dikhna ich nahi. Agar dikhey toh maar khatey. Lathi charge kardetey. No friendly police. Lathicharge police. Theek hai? 11 ke baad no open (you should not be seen after 11 pm. If you are seen you will get trashed. We will do a lathi charge. No friendly police, only lathi charge police. Okay?” says an officer into a mike in the video.

In a post on X, Hyderabad City Police stated that the recent social media news making rounds that city police are closing shops by 10.30 or 11 pm are totally misleading. The shops and establishments will open/close as per the already existing rules only.

Recent murders in Old City have cops on edge

According to the sources, with the crime rate reportedly increasing in the city and murders reported in the Old City, the police have decided to take measures to close all the establishments and restaurants before 11 pm. In the last few days, the police have also intensified night patrols.

This viral video of the public announcement by the police has garnered criticism. “Where has the friendly policing gone? Is this how Hyderabad police do policing,” asked social activist SQ Masood on X.

In a post, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi tagged Telangana DGP and Hyderabad CP and questioned, "Such an announcement be made by police in Jubilee Hills? Whether they are Irani chai hotels or pan shops or commercial establishments, they should be allowed to remain open till 12 AM at least. In any case, there should be a uniform policy across the board. Big metros across the country allow shops to be open in the night. There’s already an economic downturn. Why is it different in Hyderabad?"