Beaten priest succumbs to injuries
Warangal: The priest, who was beaten black and blue by a fanatic a few days ago, succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at NIMS Hospital in Hyderabad on Thursday.
It may be recalled that the 62-year-old priest, D Satyanarayana of Shiva Sai temple at Pochamma Maidan, was allegedly attacked by Natiq Hussaini of LB Nagar, Hyderabad on October 26.
According to the police, Natiq Hussaini demanded the priest to stop the loud speaker of the temple, which was playing ‘suprabhatham’. An argument was ensued between them when the priest refused to do so. Following which Natiq attacked the priest.
The nearby people, who noticed the brawl, stopped Natiq. The priest, who suffered multiple injuries, was admitted to MGM hospital. Later, the police arrested Natiq Hussaini.
Against this backdrop, the Brahmin Seva Samithi, BJP, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal and others, who condemned the attack, wanted to enforce Warangal bandh besides organising a peace rally on October 29.
However, the police, who convened a meeting with the religious heads of Hindu and Muslims, ensured that there would be no flare up further. Despite this, the BJP, VHP and Bajrang Dal activists tried to enforce the bandh. But the police were able to foil their bid.
Against this backdrop, Satyanarayana was shifted to NIMS hospital in Hyderabad on October 31 after his health condition was deteriorated. He died on Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, expressing their grief towards the death of priest, several business establishments in Pochamma Maidan, Mandi Bazar and LB Nagar volunteered to observe bandh.
BJP activists led by former MLA M Dharma Rao staged a protest near Pochamma Maidan and demanded Rs 20 lakh ex-gratia to the kin of the priest.
The protestors also demanded stringent action against Natiq Hussaini. The police shifted protestors to the Mills Colony Police Station. To avoid any untoward incident, the police shifted Satyanarayana’s body to his native village Mogilicherla under Gesukonda mandal.