In an apparent retaliation to the desecration of a place of worship, an unidentified gang attacked two persons on Tuesday, leading to a tense situation in the town.
The incident came to light on Tuesday morning when a group of people visited the place of worship to offer prayers.
The police said the place of worship, located inside the Syed Anmal Higher Secondary School complex here, was found desecrated by vandals who had thrown a piece of burnt cloth inside the prayer hall, removed the prayer time board and a box speaker. The board and speaker box were found near the water tank, the police said. The injured persons were admitted to the government headquarters hospital.
Superintendent of Police N.M. Mylvahanan said four special teams headed by Inspectors of police had been formed to nab the miscreants. They could have gained entry into the place of worship by scaling over the compound wall, he said.
Case registered
He said police registered a case under Section 153 (a) (promoting enmity between two groups on ground of religion), 436 (mischief by fire) 448 (trespassing) read with section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
In connection with the assault incident, a case had been registered under sections 153(a), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 307 (attempt to murder), the SP said. “The situation is completely under control and the culprits will soon be brought to book,” he told The Hindu .
Police pickets posted
The police pickets had been posted in all places of worship in the district to prevent any further untoward incident, he said.
Protesting against the incident, members of the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi and Social Democratic Party of India staged a demonstration at Kenikarai.
Raising slogans against Hindu outfits and the police, they demanded that the suspects be arrested within 24 hours.
Rasta roko staged
In a counter action, BJP leaders who visited the injured persons at the hospital staged a road roko in front of the hospital, demanding the arrest of those involved in the attack. They, however, dispersed after Deputy Superintendent of Police K. Muralidharan promised speedy action.
Earlier, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG-Ramnad range) S. Bhaskaran and the SP visited the place of worship.
They also visited the injured persons at the hospital and enquired about the incident.
