Temple dispute triggers sword attack bid during Ganesh immersion in KPHB

Tension prevailed in KPHB late on Thursday night after three men allegedly attempted to attack a local resident with swords during a Ganesh idol immersion.

The incident was reported around 11.30 p.m. when the complainant, Voocha Ram Babu, along with his friends and a group of devotees, was proceeding towards IDL Tank for the immersion procession.

The accused have been identified as Bachu Rajeshwara Rao, Boachu Naga Malleshwara Rao and Bachu Venkat.

As the group reached near a private hospital on road no. 3, the accused arrived in a car armed with swords and allegedly tried to assault the complainant. However, his companions quickly intervened and managed to rescue him, preventing a serious attack.

Investigators revealed that the incident was not a spontaneous clash but stemmed from an ongoing dispute over the possession of Pochamma temple in the area. The complainant alleged that the main accused  Rajeshwara Rao and his associates had been in conflict with him over the temple for some time and had previously issued threats. He further claimed that Thursday night’s confrontation was a planned attempt to kill him.

Police registered a case against the three men under relevant sections and have taken up investigation.

Officials said efforts are on to gather evidence and verify the complainant’s claims regarding the conspiracy linked to the temple dispute.

Security has also been tightened in the area to prevent any escalation of tensions during the ongoing Ganesh festivities.