Muthyalamma temple protest: Police lathi charge injures several protesters
The heavy police deployment at the spot to quell the protest used force and caned the protesters.
Hyderabad: The recent desecration at Muthyalamma temple in Secunderabad snowballed into a tense confrontation between protesting devotees and police at the temple premises on Saturday afternoon.
In the backdrop of a bandh called by local traders to protest the vandalizing of the idol at the temple, large number of devotees including women and members of religious organizations gathered around shouting slogans.
The heavy police deployment at the spot to quell the protest used force and caned the protesters. Several persons sustained injuries when police resorted to lathi charge after the protestors went berserk and hurled stones and footwear at security personnel.
A few local organizations had given a call for bandh in Secunderabad on Saturday to protest against the vandal at the Muthyalamma temple early this week.
The police had taken into custody one person Salman Saleem Thakur, in connection with the incident and registered a case against motivational speaker Munnawar Zama and two others who are owners of a private hotel at Secunderabad. The police had sealed the hotel where Munnawar Zama, had organized coaching classes.
On Saturday, hundreds of people took out a rally in Secunderabad in protest against the incident. The protestors tried to stage a sit-in in front of the temple demanding strict action against the culprit. Another batch moved in the rally and tried to barge into Metropolis hotel at Secunderabad road. The police however chased them away.
In front of the temple, a 500 strong mob hurled footwear at the police who had blocked a road leading to a place of prayer located 200 meters away from the temple. Sensing trouble, the police resorted to a lathicharge to chase away the gathering who were turning violent.
The intelligence agencies had warned the police of some miscreants trying to foment trouble near the temple and the mosque in the area. The police had already held talks with the local people and assured to repair the temple and take all steps to punish those responsible for the vandalism. The locals had promised to cooperate with the people.
Rumours were also circulated that as a precautionary measure, the police had shut down internet services in Secunderabad to prevent rumour mongering. However, officials have not put it on record and attribute it to some telecom company problems.
