48-yr-old man held for desecrating 3 temples

Police said the accused, G Gajendran of Arisipalayam in Salem district, was not affiliated to any political party or religious outfit. “He had walked out of the house on Friday night following a quarrel with his family members. Before going out, Gajendran had set fire to pillows at home,” said officials. He was apparently disturbed due to family issues, they added. Police managed to trace the identity of the man with visuals from a surveillance camera close to Mahaliamman Temple.

His act of vandalism triggered tension in Coimbatore, as pro Hindu outfits had announced of a protest on Monday. DMK president MK Stalin condemned the damage to three temples, and said the Chief Minister should bring the culprits to book without diverting public attention from pressing issues during a pandemic. TNCC president KS Alagiri said, “Unlawful activities of anti-social elements were increasing daily in Tamil Nadu.”