Vandalism at Allu Arjun's residence in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: A group of people claiming to be members of Osmania University Joint Action Committee on Sunday vandalised flower pots and other items at the residence of top Telugu actor Allu Arjun here, demanding justice to the woman who died in 'Pushpa-2' screening stampede.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy condemned attack and directed the state Director General of Police and the city police commissioner to be tough in maintaining law and order.

Police in a release said that one of the protesters who arrived at Allu Arjun's house, mounted the compound wall and started throwing tomatoes.

When the security staff objected and persuaded them to get down from the wall, they manhandled the security staff and damaged some flower pots, the release said.

The protesters raised slogans for a while and spoke to the media waiting at the gate, it said.

When they were informed, Jubilee Hills Police reached the place and took six people into custody.

A case has been registered against the six and a few others who were involved in the vandalism.

Police said any lawless behaviour will not be tolerated.

The protesters, who raised slogans against Allu Arjun, demanded Rs 1 crore in financial assistance to the woman's family.

A placard left by them said crores of rupees are made by making films, while those watching films are dying.

According to police sources, Allu Arjun was not at home when the incident happened.

Security has been beefed at the actor's residence in the wake of the incident, they said.

In a post on X, the CM said any laxity in law and order will not be tolerated.

Allu Arjun's father and veteran producer Allu Aravind responded to the attack by saying he would let law take its own course.

"You have seen what happened outside our house. But this is time for us to observe restraint. We should not react to all this at present. Police came and took them away. They filed a case. Police are ready to take away if anyone comes here to cause any trouble.

"No one should encourage this type of incidents. We will not react to this. This is time for us to observe restraint. Law will take its own course," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, a police release from the DCP of Central Zone said a report is being forwarded to the DGP against a suspended police officer Vishnu Murthy for initiating disciplinary action.

The DGP's office will investigate this matter and take necessary action, it said.

Reddy also said it must be seen to that police officers not concerned with the stampede issue, do not react to the issue.

Murthy held a press conference without obtaining prior permission from higher authorities or intimating any senior officer.

The action is a clear violation of disciplinary norms, the release said.

In his press conference, Murthy reportedly made comments against Allu Arjun.