HYDERABAD: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) came down heavily on indifferent attitude of police in punishing guilty in Sunday’s attacks and desecration of a place of worship at Madannapet. “The Hindu community will retaliate if their sentiments are hurt,’’ VHP international president G Raghava Reddy said at a media conference.
Reacting to the desecration of temple and the subsequent clashes in parts of the city, Raghava Reddy said the police, instead of punishing the culprits, are arresting people who came on to the streets to protest.
“Did we create any trouble during the festivals of others? Our festivals are targeted and sentiments hurt. There is a limit to everything. If the limit is crossed, we will retaliate,’’ Raghava Reddy said. The VHP leader also lashed out at the police for their failure to conduct an impartial probe into the incident.
VHP state president M Rama Raju said the clashes took place due to the attitude of city police commissioner AK Khan and Malakpet assistant commissioner of police Iqbal Siddiqui. “Police took two persons, Raoof and Naseeruddin, into custody. A group of people protested before the police station and took away the two suspects,’’ Rama Raju said.
Terror elements are creating disturbances and they are supported by some political parties, the VHP leaders alleged.
VHP demanded an impartial inquiry into the incidents by a retired IPS officer. VHP leaders Yaman Singh and state vice-president V Surender Reddy and Matru Sakthi president Varalakshmi were also present.
Earlier in the day, several VHP leaders were taken into preventive custody when they gathered at the VHP office at Koti to take out a protest rally from their office to city police commissioner’s office at Basheerbagh. They were let off later.