70 protesters detained outside U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad

Screen grab from a video showing police attempting to disperse protesters near the U.S. Consulate in Nanakramguda on Thursday evening. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A total of 70 persons were taken into preventive custody on Thursday (June 19, 2025) during a protest organised by the Communist Party of India (CPI) and allied Left-wing groups outside the United States Consulate in Nanakramguda. The protest was held to condemn the U.S. government’s support for Israeli military operations in Iran.

The demonstrators, including 63 men and seven women, gathered near the consulate premises, raising slogans and displaying placards denouncing American military aid and political backing for Israel amid the ongoing conflict.

Police personnel were seen physically stopping protesters and escorting them into waiting vans, in visuals that have since circulated on social media. Despite being detained, several protesters continued to raise slogans from inside the police vehicles.

According to police, the protesters were taken into preventive custody to maintain public order. Of the 70 detainees, 56 were transported to Narsingi police station, while the remaining 14 were taken to Gachibowli police station.

The protest drew participation from several districts including 29 from Hyderabad, 35 from Rangareddy and one each from Sangareddy, Khammam, Asifabad, Nalgonda, Mahabubnagar, and Warangal. Meanwhile, a group of students from the University of Hyderabad who were on their way to join the protest were stopped by police before reaching the consulate.

Published - June 20, 2025 09:04 am IST