Statue damage: HMK leader detained under NSA

Tiruchirapalli, Jan 3 (UNI) Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) state president A Sampath, who was arrested by police on charges of instigating party workers to damage Periyar E V Ramasamy Naicker statue at Srirangam recently, was detained under the National Security Act (NSA).

Police sources said following orders from Tiruchirapalli City Commissioner of Police Shankar Jiwal, he was detained under NSA.

City police have already detained five people, including four HMK functionaries under NSA, in connection with the vandalisation.

A life-size cement statue of social reformer Periyar was allegedly damaged by HMK men on December 7, last year, protesting against its installation near the Rajagopuram (Prime Temple Tower) of Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangam.

'Atheist slogans' were inscribed on the pedestal of the statue and the HMK protested, saying that it would hurt religious sentiments of Hindus.

UNI