The Hyderabad police registered five cases against people who resorted to violence during a protest at Muthyalamma temple in Secunderabad on Saturday.
Around 15 policemen, in addition to a few civilians had suffered injuries when the protest turned violent after police tried to stop a mob that was allegedly trying to head towards a mosque located at Kummarwadi in Secunderabad, which is just a few metres away from the Muthyalamma temple.
The police had to resort to lathi-charge for controlling the aggressive mob that rained slippers, stones and sticks on a police contingent that was deployed near the temple.
Four cases were registered at Monda Market police station while another case was registered at Gopalapuram police station. The cases pertain to pelting stones, attacking police personnel, damaging RTC buses and attempting to vandalise Metropolis Hotel.
The police are trying to identify the persons who had resorted to violence. “Around 3,000 people had participated in the protest held without obtaining
permission. Some of the miscreants pelted stones on the police team to make their way towards the mosque,” said DCP (North) Rashmi Perumal.
The police during preliminary investigation found that the people had gathered following a call for protest from different areas of the city. Among the public some unsocial elements assembled and created trouble to make the most of the situation, officials said.
On Sunday, the situation at Muthyalamma temple remained peaceful with religious rituals undertaken at the temple under tight police vigil. The Rapid Action Force and local police were deployed as a precautionary measure.
A few people who tried to visit the temple were taken into preventive custody and bundled in a police bus.
BJP legislator, T Raja Singh, who announced that he would visit the Muthyalamma temple on Sunday, was placed under house arrest.
Senior police officials are constantly on the vigil, as situation unfolds at Muthyalamma temple.