Disfiguring of sculptures triggers stir

The bandh called by pro-Hindu organisations in the town on Sunday, against the police for releasing three persons who had disfigured the carvings of Hindu gods on the wall of the historical fort here, evoked a mixed response.

It is said that three miscreants - Shamshuddin of Srirangapatna, Jamiulla of Mysuru and Danash of Uttar Pradesh – were seen disfiguring the carvings of Lord Ganesha and Lord Hanuman on the wall of the fort near the obelisk memorial here on Saturday evening. The public, who noticed the same caught the trio, thrashed them and handed them over to the police. But the police released the trio within an hour, which irked the members of Hindu outfits, who said that the police had neglected the issue. 

Taluk Panchayat president T Sridhar, Hindu Jagarana Vedike taluk convenor Chandan and others demanded action against the police for dereliction of duty. IGP Vijay Kumar Singh (southern range), SP Sudhir Kumar Reddy camped in the town on Sunday and gathered information from the local officers. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Inspector M K Deepak said cases had been filed against the trio under Section 295 of the IPC and they were released later. A probe was on and if necessary, they would be taken into custody, he said.

During the bandh, vehicular traffic was almost normal. The members of Hindu Jagarana Vedike, RSS, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and BJP took part in a protest march, which passed through the main streets of the town. They raised slogans against the government and the police. There was heated exchange of words between the agitators and the police near the Jamia Masjid Circle.