HMK activist held for Periyar statue desecration

Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, Mar 17 (UNI) The city police today arrested Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) State Secretary Kathirvel on the charges of attempting to desecrate the statue of Rationalist Leader and Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) Founder Periyar E V Ramasamy Naicker.

Police sources said Kathirvel (40) of Thittakkudi in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu attempted to throw a packet containing a mixture of water and 'kumkum' at the statue.

However, it missed the target and hit the entrance of the Srirangam Police Station. Alert policemen immediately nabbed him.

The incident created a flutter in the town as it occurred despite armed police protection and a dome camera installed to monitor the statue round-the-clock.

On December 6 last year, HMK activists damaged the cement statue to protest its installation near the temple.

The incident sparked sporadic incidents of violence in the state allegedly by Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam activits.

Many Hindu organisations, including HMK, RSS, VHP and the BJP took strong exception to placing the statue of an atheist near a temple.

Later, the cement statue was removed and replaced with a life-size bronze statue.

UNI