Hyderabad police on Thursday arrested a suspect in connection with the desecration of the Mysamma temple at Puranapul Darwaza, an incident that triggered communal tension and violence in the area a night earlier.
The arrest was made within 24 hours of the incident that took place late on January 14. Confirming the development, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rajendranagar, said the accused had been apprehended in the case registered at Kamatipura police station. “The suspect involved in the case regarding the incident at Puranapul Darwaza Mysamma temple has been apprehended by the police,” the DCP said in a statement.
According to the police, the accused damaged a flexi banner and a plaster of Paris idol kept in the temple veranda. The official clarified that the main idol inside the sanctum was not touched. “The suspect was apprehended within 24 hours of the incident. Police are investigating the case and interrogating the suspect to collect further evidence,” the DCP added.
The incident came to light around 11.30 pm on Wednesday, after locals noticed the damaged flexi board and idol at the temple. Soon after, tension escalated in the area as a large crowd gathered near the temple. Videos that surfaced on social media showed an angry mob vandalising nearby graves, damaging a religious flag and raising slogans, even as police personnel were present.
As the crowd swelled to nearly 300 people, stones were allegedly hurled at the police and several vehicles were damaged. A motorcycle was set on fire and the windshield of a truck was broken, disrupting traffic at the busy junction near the Musi river. At least four police personnel and one local resident were injured in the violence.
Senior police officers rushed to the spot and additional forces were deployed to bring the situation under control. Police used a lathi charge to disperse the mob and restore order.
Officials said a separate case has been registered against those involved in attacking police personnel and indulging in vandalism. Using CCTV footage and video evidence, police have identified several individuals linked to the violence. “Stringent legal action will be taken against everyone involved in the attack on police and destruction of property,” a senior officer said.
Police also dismissed claims circulating online that the main idol of the temple had been destroyed, calling them false and misleading. “Such rumours were spread to provoke unrest. People should not believe or share unverified information,” an official said.
