Hyderabad: Heavy police deployment continues at Puranapul after vandalism, violence

Heavy police deployment continued at Puranapul Darwaza following vandalism at a place of worship and subsequent violence. Police detained suspects, registered five cases and ruled out a conspiracy, saying the crowd swelled after social media messages triggered protests.

Hyderabad: Additional forces continued to remain deployed at Puranapul Darwaza in the old city following incidents of vandalism at a place of worship and darga on Wednesday night.

While senior police officials are monitoring the situation from the Integrated Command and Control Centre at Banjara Hills, the Rapid Action Force, City Armed Reserve and civil police are continuing a vigil in and around the Puranapul Darwaza.

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The police had identified and taken a man into custody for allegedly entering into the Puranapul Darwaza compound and tearing a flexi and damaging a Plaster of Paris made idol. Simultaneously, Task Force and special parties have picked up several persons from Mangalhat, Dhoolpet, Puranapul and surrounding areas for questioning in connection with stone pelting and damage to police and private vehicles. At least ten persons including four policemen were injured in the incident.

A mob of around 300 persons had targeted police, damaged a chilla and shrines, private vehicles and assaulted road users during the protest. The violence had spilled over to Mangalhat and Kulsumpura police station areas but prompt action by the Task Force teams headed by Additional DCP Iqbal Siddiqui and Additional Commissioner (Traffic) Joel Davis prevented the situation from turning ugly.

Five cases have been registered in connection with the incident in Kamatipura, Kulsumpura and Mangalhat police station limits.

The police have so far ruled out a conspiracy angle and said people gathered at the place from adjoining locality in huge numbers on coming to know about desecration at temple. The mob soon grew as messages were circulated through social media platforms.