Desecration of statue: Tension in Gajwel amid communal clashes

SIDDIPET: Gajwel in Siddipet district is in the grip of tension since Monday night following clashes between two communities in the wake of alleged desecration of Chatrapati Shivaji statue. A person belonging to a particular community was alleged to have urinated near the statue, stoking anger among the people of other community which led to clashes.

According to reports, a few persons were injured in the clashes and the reprisal attacks against each other. While the injured were shifted to the hospital, people following a particular faith took to streets to stage spontaneous protests against the alleged desecration of the statue and demanding action. As tempers ran high and the protest appeared to be turning violent, the police swiftly acted and resorted to lathi-charge to bring the situation under control.

Despite the police action, the protesters stayed put and continued with their agitation. It needed the intervention of Siddipet Commissioner of Police N Shwetha, who addressed the protestors and urged them to refrain from violence. She assured them that the police would arrest the person responsible within 24 hours and asked the protestors to cooperate with the police.

Meanwhile, a town-wide bandh was called on Tuesday to protest the desecration of Chhatrapati Shivaji statue.