2 hurt in petrol bomb attack on place of worship

Chennai, Dec 8 (UNI) Two people were injured when a gang hurled a petrol bomb at ''Ayodhya Mandapam,'' a Hindu place of worship, at the busy West Mambalam area in the city this evening.

Police sources said the 15-member gang came in two autorickshaws and shouted slogans before hurling the bomb purportedly to protest the desecration of the statue of rationalist leader Periyar at Srirangam yesterday.

A flower vendor and his customer were injured in the attack. The makeshift flower shop was situated in front of the mandapam which was a regular venue for religious discourses and rendition of devotional songs and bhajans.

Some pooja articles kept near the Mandapam entrance, were damaged.

Tension prevailed in the area following the incident and a section of the people resorted to a road blockade condemning the attack. The injured were taken to a hospital.

Senior police officials rushed to the spot.

UNI GV SI RAI1840