Two held for petrol bomb attack on mosque

The accused, Pandi alias K Sadayandi (41) and V Akil (23) from Rathinapuri had hurled the petrol bomb in retaliation for the attack on a Hindu Munnani functionary by unidentified persons here.

He was returning home after participating in a pro-CAA demonstration, when the assailants followed him in a two-wheeler and attacked with an iron rod behind his head causing severe injury.

The police said Pandi is the BJP’s 48th ward president while Akil is a local VHP functionary. They hurled the bomb on the mosque at Vedhambal Nagar in Ganapathy. However, it did not go off.

The police retrieved shattered glass pieces of a beer bottle with a wick and petrol spilled over the floor. A special team of police formed to nab the culprits was involved in a vehicle check in Chinnavedampatty area, when a duo in two-wheeler attempted to escape on seeing police around 6am on Tuesday.

During inquiries, Pandi and Akil gave contradictory replies, but upon further inquiries they confessed to have thrown the petrol bomb in retaliation for the attack on Hindu Munnani district secretary Anand.

The police also seized a two-wheeler and two mobile phones from their possession. The two accused were produced in the court and lodged in Coimbatore Central Prison. Following tension over the incident, armed police were deployed in mosques and temples to prevent any further untoward incidents.