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Bush visit: 5 hurt as cops, protestors clash in H'bad
Some among the congregation of about 5,000 began throwing stones at riot police.
Five people were injured in clashes on Friday between police and Muslims protesting the visit of US President George W Bush in Hyderabad.
The clashes began just after Friday prayers ended at the Mecca Mosque in Hyderabad, as some among the congregation of about 5,000 began throwing stones at riot police.
Police wielding batons pushed the crowd back into the mosque, from where many continued throwing stones, shoes and plastic bottles.
Five people, including two policemen, were injured in the clashes, security personnel said.
Some protestors also burnt an effigy of Bush on the street before retreating into the mosque.
The exchange continued for about 45 minutes before the protestors quietened and were allowed to leave.
The authorities deployed some 200 riot police as well as mounted police outside the mosque to head off any trouble during Bush's four hour visit to the city.
About 40 per cent of Hyderabad's seven million people are Muslim and many Islamic groups have called for a complete shutdown of the city.
Muslim leaders said they were against the US invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. They also said Bush's visit to the city would help gather support for the radical Palestinian group Hamas in its fight against Israel.
