Vandalism alleged at Kurnool temple

Kurnool: Even as political controversy is raging on desecration at Kodandarama temple at Ramatheertham in Vizianagaram district, in yet another such incident unidentified miscreants vandalised some idols located atop the temple gopuram at Anjaneya Swamy temple at Marlabanda village under Sajjala Gudem panchayat in Kosigi mandal in the district.

The incident came to light when some images went viral on social media and news channels. However, temple priest and police denied the news.

According to information, the Anjaneya Swamy temple is located in a deserted place 4 kilometre away from Sajjala Gudem. Three days ago an Anjaneya Swamy Jatara (fair) was observed at Marlabanda. After that the temple was locked and no one visited the place as there are no dwellings. All of sudden on Saturday afternoon, the news broke out about the vandalism at the temple.

BJP, TDP leaders and locals have condemned the incidents and TDP Kurnool parliamentary committee president Somisetti Venkateswarlu came down heavily on the YSRCP government for allowing desecration of temple. He demanded the government to immediately suspend the minister for endowments Vellampalli Srinivasulu as he is not fit for the post.

However, temple priest Sriramulu denied any vandalism. He said some patches of the idols were chipped away during the recent electrification works. He urged people not to believe rumours of destruction.

District SP Dr Fakkeerappa Kaginelli in a press release trashed the rumours being spread in social media. He said that the police and the temple staff have immediately visited the temple and inspected the surroundings, he said. He also said that no hundis were stolen.