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Hyderabad, Jan 15 (PMI): Two cases were registered in Hyderabad following alleged vandalism at a temple and damage to a nearby shrine during a protest by a mob, police said on Thursday.
Mild tension erupted in the Puranapul area late Wednesday night after idols at a temple were desecrated, and a banner was reportedly torn. A mob subsequently gathered, raising slogans and protesting. Two police personnel sustained minor injuries during stone-pelting, and a two-wheeler was set on fire. Some members of the mob also allegedly caused damage to a nearby shrine. Police used mild force to disperse the protesters.
The Kamatipura police registered two separate cases under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act in connection with the incident and the subsequent violence.
In the first case, police booked an unknown accused under Sections 324(2), 329(4), and 298 of the BNS, based on a complaint filed by a private employee. These sections deal with mischief, aggravated house-trespass, and injuring or defiling a place of worship, respectively.
The second case was registered on the complaint of a Sub-Inspector (SI) of the Kamatipura police station, under Sections 324(2), 329(4), 132, and 298 read with Section 3(5) of the BNS, that deal with mischief (property damage), assault on a public servant, and injuring religious places with joint liability. Section 3 of the PDPP Act, which penalises mischief causing damage to public property, was also slapped against the accused.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Law & Order, Coordination) Tafseer Iqubal IPS said anti-social elements created disturbance in Puranapul around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday. “The situation is under control and peaceful. We have some leads and are working on them,” he told reporters, urging the public not to believe rumours and warning that stern action will be taken against those responsible.
Additional forces, including personnel from the RAF, were deployed, and patrolling and pickets have been intensified. AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi visited the area and met with police officials.
Telangana BJP President N. Ramchander Rao, who visited the temple, accused the ruling Congress of fostering an environment for repeated attacks on temples. He called for an immediate, impartial investigation and strict action against those responsible.
“Puranapul Darwaza, which houses a small Devi temple, is a historical site of immense significance, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj stayed during his journey to Srisailam. The desecration of such a sacred and historical site by extremist elements points to a deliberate conspiracy,” Rao said in a post on X.
Rao further cited other recent incidents, including desecration at Muthyalamma Temple in Safilguda three days ago and an attempted desecration at Hanuman Temple in Keesara, describing these acts as systematic targeting rather than isolated incidents. He alleged that extremist elements are emboldened by the Congress’s rhetoric and inaction. (pressmediaofindia.com)
