Hyderabad, 24 February (HS): Police on Tuesday stopped a group of priests from reciting the Hanuman Chalisa at the Sri Dwimukhi Hanuman Temple in Barkas under Chandrayangutta after the temple was allegedly vandalised by unidentified persons.
According to Chandrayangutta Station House Officer R Gopi, miscreants allegedly broke the iron grill of the temple and desecrated the sindoor applied to the idol. The damage was noticed by devotees on Tuesday morning. Police said the incident is suspected to have occurred late Monday night or in the early hours of Tuesday.
A case has been registered under Sections 324(2), 329 and 298 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The SHO said closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras would be installed at the temple premises and a compound wall would be constructed. Around 15 police personnel have been deployed at the site as a precautionary measure.
Following the incident, mild tension was reported in the area. Several local leaders visited the temple and expressed concern. Some political representatives demanded measures for the protection of the temple premises and its land.
Police maintained that necessary steps are being taken to prevent any untoward incident and to ensure law and order in the area.
The incident comes amid other recent reports of vandalism at places of worship in parts of Hyderabad. Investigations into the Barkas temple case are ongoing.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar
