Sabarimala (Kerala), June 25 (IANS): Five people were arrested on charges of damaging a new gold-coated flag post consecrated only on Sunday afternoon at the famed Sabarimala temple here in Kerala.
CCTV cameras identified the culprits, who were caught by the temple guards. After preliminary interrogation, five people from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh were taken into custody.
The new flag post was donated by a business group from Andhra Pradesh. It reportedly cost Rs 3.5 crore.
According to the visuals, a person aged around 65 years hurled the mercury-dipped cloth while two others standing close by caught the incident on their mobile camera.
Police believe the reason for the crime may be business rivalry. The attackers were believed to be ranged against the business group which paid for the flag post.
