Desecration of temples: AP govt alleges conspiracy to disturb communal harmony

Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday claimed re was a clear design and deeper conspiracy to disturb communal harmony in state by perpetrating crimes like desecration of temples. Addressing a press conference here on Thursday night, Chief Secretary Aditya Nath Das and Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Ravi Shankar Ayyanar, in wake of recent vandalism in some temples in state, said, "prima facie re is some conspiracy because a series of incidents are taking place one after or in various districts, that too in remote places. So it is all, as of w, under investigation."

"re is conspiracy...re is a design to disturb communal harmony. Every crime has some motive behind it. motive in this crime is much deeper. motive is to disturb communal peace of state," Das observed.

" state which is undertaking a lot of activities for benefit of peoplethat activity must be derailed. That is what is motive behind se crimes so that we get busy controlling se kind of things and don't concentrate on development activities," he added.

Additional DGP said that was precisely point that was under investigation. officials' statement came days after Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy termed desecration of temples in state as "political guerrilla warfare" and wondered who would benefit by such acts. technical data as well as field level data was being gared as part of investigation in cases that happened so far.

"re is one such case which has come to light where electric saw was recovered. It was used in two incidents, one in Krishna district and one in Rajamahendravaram, to desecrate temples. This is one such fact that has emerged where tool was used at two places. Like this many more facets may come out," Ayyanar said.

Chief Secretary ted that recent incidents of desecration of temples t only brought a bad name to state but also caused grave concern in administration. "It has also made us realise that constant vigil is necessary to maintain spirit of togerness and communal harmony in our state. So we have w constituted Communal Harmony Committees at state and district levels to take up confidence building measures and promote communal harmony in state," he said.

Besides top officials headed by Chief Secretary himself, state-level committee would have one representative from each religion as members. district-level committee would be headed by respective Collector and District Magistrate, Das said. committees have been formed to arrest evil designs of conspirators. "y will interact with people. y will visit places where incidents occur. This is something where society, everybody must get involved, t just for police to investigate," Chief Secretary remarked.

Replying to a question, Additional DGP said so far only six persons were arrested in cases related to desecration of temples. As many as 38 cases of vandalism of temple idols were reported in state since June 2019, including three so far this year. "Five of those cases were found to be false while re were clues in 10 or cases," Ayyanar said. " technical data and evidence found at crime scene...all being compiled and being investigated by a team leader. All data is being compiled and given to Crime Investigation Department," Ayyanar added.