Police foil protest by Hindu organisations in Secunderabad over temple vandalism

HYDERABAD: Police foiled a protest organised by Hindu organisations in Secunderabad on Saturday, following the vandalism of an idol at the Muthyalamma temple earlier in the week. The police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd after tensions escalated between the demonstrators and security forces.

The protests were sparked by an incident on Monday morning, when an unidentified individual entered the Muthyalamma temple in Kummari Guda and vandalised the deity's idol. The accused kicked down the idol and caused further damage, but locals quickly intervened, apprehending him and handing him over to the police. The incident, captured on CCTV, went viral on social media, provoking strong reactions from Hindu organisations.

On Saturday morning, these groups gathered in Secunderabad to demand strict punishment for the accused. As the protesters marched, police attempted to block their path, leading to a confrontation. The situation intensified when demonstrators threw objects, including shoes, chairs, and water bottles, at the police. In response, the police carried out a lathi-charge to break up the protest, using force to disperse the crowd.