HYDERABAD: Tension prevailed in the Old City’s Charmahal area after a 17-year-old boy from the minority community was assaulted by more than 40 members of a ‘Bonalu’ procession for refusing to chant ‘Jai Sri Ram’ on Thursday. At least 14 suspects were identified and taken into custody on Friday.
The student was passing by when a group of people applied ‘tilak’ on his forehead and ordered him to chant Jai Sri Ram. When the teen refused, he was abused and thrashed. Panic gripped the area after a mob gathered at the spot, forcing heavy police deployment.
Police booked the accused for wrongful restraint, causing hurt, and provocation by hurling insults. An investigation is under way.
