Temple stir: Hyderabad top cop urges people not to believe in narratives demoralising police

Police Commissioner CV Anand shares videos of protests at Muthyalamma temple in bid to throw new light on what prompted police personnel to use force

Hyderabad: Urging people not to believe in narratives created by certain groups on social media platforms about police lathi-charge on protesters at Muthyalamma temple, Commissioner of Police CV Anand shared a series of videos in an attempt to throw new light on what prompted the police to use force.

While the general impression was that the police had unnecessarily cracked down on the demonstrators that caused injuries to several people, the Commissioner, on X, released three videos, which shows another side of the narrative, wherein the demonstrators were in an aggressive mode, hurling footwear and attacking police personnel.

He made an appeal not to go by the narratives that are being created to demoralise the force and cite police action as unwarranted.

In one video, a group of protesters, including a few armed with sticks, are seen menacingly rushing towards the police and hurling footwear and furniture at police personnel, including women constables. The footwear missiles hit an IG-rank officer and several police personnel on their head and face.

As the aggressive mob tried to move ahead by attacking the police and rushing towards a place of prayer, left with no option, the police officials ordered a lathi-charge.

The aim of using force was to disperse the unruly mob, which despite warning, failed to adhere to instructions of the police officials, the police said.

Fifteen policemen were injured in the attack at Muthyalamma temple.