Threat letter causes security flutter

Thane, Maharashtra, Dec 5 (UNI) A letter threatening to avenge the Dalit killings at Khairlanji in Maharashtra and vandalising of a statue of Dr B R Ambedkar at Kanpur, has been found in a temple in the suburban Kalyan town ahead of the 50th death anniversary of the Dalits' icon.

It was found yesterday by a group of hymn singers at Vitthal Rakhumai temple in Koleswadi ( East ) when they went there for celebrations of Datta Jayanti festival.

Confirming it, police today said they have registered an offence under section 507 of Indian Penal Code on the charge of criminal intimidation made anonymously. They said they are trying to locate the source of the threat but added no arrest has been made so far.

The police have beefed up security at the temple and alerted high State officials.

Anonymous author/s of the letter, written in error-ridden Marathi slang, has named certain Shiv Sena leaders among others as target of ire of the Dalit community.

UNI XR SA PA ND1938