The state human rights commission has directed the superintendent of police of Nalgonda district, Mr Naveen Gulati to give an explanation over the lathi charge on devotees of Ayyappa and Hanuman in Nalgonda on Tuesday. The commission received a complaint against lathi charge yesterday and acting on the complaint, shrc sought explanation from the district SP.

It may be recalled that yesterday a group called for a bandh against another group over the alleged disturbances in the town. Devotees of Ayyappa and Hanuman extended their solidarity with the bandh and took out a protest. Police then reportedly plunged into the action and caned the devotees, which apparently triggered outcry across the state.

(AW Phani)