The twin cities of Hyderabad-Secunderabad and the adjoining Rangareddy district observed a bandh on Monday following a call given by the Bharatiya Janata Party and Vishwa Hindu Parishad to protest against the failure of police to prevent Saturday's communal disturbance in the Old City.

The bandh call evoked near-total response, as curfew continued under the limits of eight police stations in the Old City.

Normal life was affected with the state-owned Road Transport Corporation halting its services in Hyderabad and the neighbouring district.

Shops, business establishments, hotels, petrol bunks, cinema theatres and educational institutions remained closed while attendance was thin in banks and state government offices. Auto-rickshaws plied in some areas. People, especially those who arrived at railway and bus stations, faced inconvenience.

City Commissioner of Police R P Singh said no untoward incident had been reported till noon.

Several BJP leaders and activists were arrested when they tried to force closure of shops in various parts of the city. They were booked for violating prohibitory orders and released.

Singh said the situation was under control. "We may relax curfew tomorrow after reviewing the situation."

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation with Home Minister T Devender Goud and police officials.

Director General of Police S R Sukumara also held a meeting with the police commissioner and other officials at the Charminar Police Station.

Meanwhile, the police found the body of an unidentified man with stab injuries in Chandrayangutta area in the Old City. They were trying to ascertain if the incident was related to the communal violence.