Agara Mangalam: Chittoor police have arrested interstate treasure hunters for vandalising Nandi idol in Lord Shiva's Temple at Agara Mangalam village. The Nandi idol of Sri Abhaya Anjaneya Swamy Temple was damaged on September 28.
Three special teams led were formed by Chittoor Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) K Eswar Reddy to investigate the incident. The complaint was lodged by the temple authorities following which a dog squad was also pressed into service.
Senthil Kumar, Chittoor SP, said, "The kingpin of the gang has been identified as Somsekhar. A complaint was filed at Machavaram police station in Guntur to crack down this gang."
Chittoor police arrest interstate gang for vandalizing Nandi statue Kumar added, "The gang collects information about several temples and their hidden treasures in the state. It is also active in Kurnool, Ananthapur and Guntur districts of Andhra. The 8-member gang was arrested from Kanipakam area and mobile phones, photographs, weapons and tools used for excavation of hidden treasures have also been seized from their possession."
Chittoor police arrest interstate gang for vandalizing Nandi statue In view of the increasing attack on temples in Andhra Pradesh, the police team have advised owners of the religious places to install CCTV cameras.
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Reddy had said, "The Nandi idol, which was made with black stone, had developed cracks a few years ago. In order to fill the crack, the villagers and temple authorities filled it with seesam (lead like liquid). After this, rumours were circulated that gold is kept under the Nandi idol. In their greed for gold, the miscreants might have shifted the Nandi statue behind the temple and broke it apart."
YSR Congress rebel member in Lok Sabha K Raghu Rama Krishna Raju alleged that there was constructive destruction of Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh and sought that a dharmic commission should be established to address the issue.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour on Saturday, he said: "In Andhra Pradesh, as of now, constructive destruction is happening with regard to the Hindu temples. So, let there be a commission, a dharmic commission or a Hindu commission, in line with Christian minorities or Muslim minorities to address the issue."
YSRCP leaders alleged that a conspiracy is on to project the Jagan Mohan Reddy government in a bad light by blaming it for the growing attacks on temples.
With agency inputs
