Locals organized a massive protest against the sacrilegious act and demanded strict action against the perpetrators.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — A youth from Sirivara town in Manvi taluk in Karnataka’s Raichur District was arrested on Friday over his alleged role in the desecration of a statue of Tipu Sultan on Wednesday.
The accused, identified as 23-year-old Akash Talwar, allegedly garlanded Tipu Sultan’s statue with slippers. He was accompanied by two other individuals. The police are in the process of arresting them soon, a senior official was quoted by the local media as saying.
The accused has been sent to judicial custody.
The sacrilegious action, discovered on Wednesday morning, prompted a swift and impassioned response from the locals and hundreds of protesters gathered at a roundabout near the Mutton Market, expressing their anguish, reports reaching here said.
The protestors also blocked the road and torched tyres at the protest site, demanding immediate arrest of the people behind the vandalism.
Manvi MLA, Humpaya Naik, arrived at the scene and held talks with the community leaders and assured strict action against the perpetrators.
“I was informed about the incident this morning, and I immediately reached the spot. I spoke to the people and assured them that our government stands with them. I also said that the police will quickly arrest and punish the culprits. Such an incident never happened in Sirivara. I appeal to the people to maintain peace and not pay heed to any baseless rumours,” he said,
The incident has sparked concerns over communal harmony, with the local community calling for unity and urging residents not to heed to rumors.
