Police Urge Calm After Violence at Secunderabad Temple Protest
Hyderabad: The police have appealed to the citizens of Hyderabad to refrain from spreading rumors in light of the recent tensions following the desecration of the Muthyalamma deity idol at the Secunderabad Muthyalamma temple. This incident sparked violent protests by an angry mob on Saturday, leading to injuries among law enforcement personnel.
North Zone DCP Rashmi Perumal reported that 15 police officers suffered injuries, including an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) who sustained a cervical injury and an inspector who was injured on the head during the stone-pelting incident.
The unrest began when Hindu organizations, including Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrangdal, called for a bandh and organized a protest rally near the temple without official permission. Over 3,000 individuals gathered, and the situation escalated as the crowd split into two groups—one aiming to approach a nearby mosque and the other intent on vandalizing local establishments.
Despite efforts to defuse tensions, the situation worsened, with the mob demanding the demolition of the mosque. When police intervened, they faced stone-pelting, as the crowd hurled various objects, including water bottles and chairs.
Despite attempts from local residents and temple management to calm the mob, violence persisted, prompting police to use a lathi-charge to regain control. Additional police forces were deployed to disperse the crowd, which later turned their aggression toward public transport, damaging two RTC buses.
Authorities are currently taking action against those responsible for the violence and urge the community to remain peaceful.
