2 arrested for desecration of idols; one absconding

There was tension in JC Nagar after three men desecrated two cement idols at the Maha Ganapathi temple early on Sunday morning. The suspects also thrashed a businessman who objected to the desecration. However, the police arrested two of the suspects and are on the lookout for the third.

The suspects are Tabrez (24) and Naeem (24), both residents of Devarjeevanahalli, said the police.

The police have deployed additional forces comprising 100 men including two ACPs, 10 inspectors and five KSRP platoons to prevent violence, DCP (North) Labhu Ram said.

The trio were loitering under the influence of drugs in an open space next to the 20-year-old temple. They went to a nearby hospital and threatened a security guard. They came back to the temple around 6 am with iron rods and machetes and started destroying the idols of Ganapathi and Saptha Rishis, the police said.

A local businessman objected to their act. The duo attacked him causing injuries on his face. However, a few local residents and pourakarmikas chased them. An autorickshaw driver followed them in his autorickshaw and managed to catch Tabrez. He brought him back to the temple where he was thrashed black and blue. Local residents alerted the police, who immediately reached the spot. The residents handed over Tabrez to the police.

“The desecration of idols is intentional and has hurt the devotees’ sentiments. We have lodged a complaint against the suspects,” temple administrative board chairman B Harish said.

The police said the situation is under control and it is not yet clear if the trio did it intentionally or under the influence of drugs.