Hyderabad: Communal tension grips Puranapool after miscreant vandalizes Darwaza Mysamma temple; suspect held, 4 cops injured

Hyderabad: Tension gripped the Puranapool area after a miscreant vandalized the Darwaza Mysamma temple on Wednesday night. Later, a mob attacked the cops and the nearby religious structure. Four police personnel sustained serious injuries in the violence.

Hyderabad police have arrested one suspect for damaging a flexi banner and a POP idol in the Puranapul Temple premises. Police are currently investigating the case and interrogating the suspect to collect further evidence. This operation was conducted under the direct supervision of the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad V C Sajjanar.

Incident at Mysamma Temple

According to police, around 11.30 p.m. on Wednesday, an unidentified person entered the Puranapool Darwaza Mysamma Temple and partially damaged a flex banner and a Plaster of Paris (POP) idol placed in the temple veranda.

Acting swiftly, Kamatipura Police registered a case and collected CCTV footage and other evidence from the scene.

Mob Violence and Attack on Police

Following the temple vandalism, a mob of around 300 people gathered in the area and vandalised a nearby religious structure (‘Chilla’). The mob also attacked police personnel who attempted to control the situation. Four police personnel sustained serious injuries in the violence.

A separate case has been registered for the attack on the police and the damage to the religious structure. Investigators have identified several perpetrators using CCTV footage and video clips, police said, adding that stringent legal action will follow.

Clarification on Rumours

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rajendra Nagar) Yogesh Gautam clarified that only the flex banner and the POP idol in the temple veranda were partially damaged. The idols inside the Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbha Gudi) are completely safe, and the offender did not enter the main temple.

“There is absolutely no truth in the rumours that the main idol was destroyed,” the DCP said.

Appeal for Calm, Warning on Fake News

Police officials appealed to citizens not to believe or circulate malicious propaganda related to the incident. They warned that strict action would be taken against those spreading fake news on social media or attempting to disturb public order.

Situation Under Control

Police said the situation in the Puranapool area is now completely under control. Citizens have been advised not to panic, with authorities assuring firm action against anyone taking the law into their own hands or disrupting peace.

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin visited the spot

AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi visited the area to take stock of the situation,

"A majority of the incidents are happening at night. They are trying to create a communal controversy. Some say a poster was thrown, while others claim something happened over there. You have CCTV cameras, and Hyderabad is supposed to have one of the best CCTV camera facial technologies. These incidents should not happen. The particular place has a history of communal violence in the 1980s and 1990s. My party and I have personally done so much to ensure that communal differences are not there. Even the local community has come forward and cooperated with me. Still, there are certain forces belonging to a political party that do not want to see peace being strengthened or prevailing in Hyderabad. It is high time that the local police looked into it. We want Hyderabad to be peaceful,” he said.