BJP activist held in Periyar statue defilement case

Tiruchirapalli, Sep 9 (UNI) Police today arrested a BJP functionary in connection with damaging the statue of E V R Periyar at Srirangam here.

Police said an eight-member gang had damaged the statue, installed in front of the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple here, on December seven last year. Police had arrested seven people, including Hindu Makkal Katchi President Arjun Sampath, in this regard.

The incident had created a controversy throughout the state.

Police were on the look out for Murali Rangan, a BJP activist, in connection with the defiling.

Acting on a tip off, police rushed to Moolathope area and arrested Murali Rangan.

UNI