Tension grips as groups clash over desecration
The city was in the grip of a tense situation once again on Wednesday, just a few days after members of two communities exchanged heated arguments following suspicion that cattle were being transported to a slaughter house.
On Wednesday, a few youths came to a temple at Ammavaripet at 5.30 am for Sai Baba bhajans. But pieces of meat were found beside the temple entrance between 6 am and 6.15 am. The news of the desecration spread in the city by 7 am, leading to widespread outrage.
“There are mutton shops around the temple, and the desecration is the handiwork of miscreants from there. Religious symbols of a particular community are being painted and cow dung smeared on the temple walls for some time now.
Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar Meena tried to pacify the protestors saying the temple premises must be cleaned first. But his appeal fell on deaf ears. Finally, the temple premises and its walls were given a wash. Passengers, especially students, had a tough time as the bus services were suspended. Window panes of the Pragathi Grameena Bank were stoned by protestors.
SP faces IGP’s wrath
Malini Krishnamurthy, IGP (Central Range), who visited the city, expressed disappointment at the style of functioning of District Superintendent of Police, Dr K Tyagarajan. “The situation had come under control by morning. Why did it spiral out of control again, leading to stone pelting incidents and mild lathicharge,” she asked.
“There is a mob at the Bus Stand Circle. Where are the police staff? Where is the special branch inspector?,” she said. Tyagarajan could not give a clear answer as to the number of police posted in the wake of the tense situation and why the incidents had not been videographed.
She was not happy with Additional Superintendent of Police, H R Bhagwan Das too, who came forward to provide the answers.
Though the Superintendent of Police was present at the protest spots, he talked less, failed to come face to face with the mobs and preferred to stand beside the DC. It was left to Bhagwan Das to bring the situation under control.
Classes suspended
Even as the situation spiralled out of control, schools and colleges began functioning as usual. However, by 11.30 am, as prohibitory orders were clamped, classes were suspended and students were asked to go home.
School authorities informed the parents, who came and picked up their children. Prohibitory orders will be in place till Thursday morning. Tahsildar Dr Dayanand told Deccan Herald that schools and colleges will function as usual on Thursday.
A meeting of the district peace committee will be held at the Zilla Panchayat auditorium at 11 am on Thursday.
IGP warns action against miscreants
Malini Krishnamurthy, IGP (Central range), warned on Wednesday that strict action would be taken against whoever was responsible for desecrating the temple in Ammavaripet, by placing pieces of meat there.
During her visit to the temple, she said legal action would be taken against them, irrespective of which community they belonged to. Additional police forces would be deployed in the backdrop of Wednesday’s incident, she added.
