The Hindu : Muslim clerics detained at Tirumala

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 04, 2003

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Muslim clerics detained at Tirumala

By Our Special Correspondent

TIRUPATI July 3. The Tirumala police detained 12 Muslim clerics at the GNC tollgate today after they refused to sign a declaration. Later, the police after consultations with their top brass prima facie allowed them to travel.

As the "pilgrims" reached Alipiri, the police again detained them.

Sources said the clerics returned without entering the hill temple when the staff asked them to sign the official declaration which non-Hindus are required to sign before entering the temple.

The police later got in touch with local Muslim elders who vouchsafed for their version and said they had been staying at Tirupati since June 29 giving religious discourses in local mosques.

The clerics were also said to have told the police that they got interested in visiting the temple.

The Tirupati Intelligence and police officials later spoke to top officials in Hyderabad and briefed them on the episode. After a review of the case they were said to have instructed the local police to release them, as they found nothing suspicious about their mission.

The clerics are now said to be safe back in one of the local mosques where they have been staying ever since they landed in this temple town. They are expected to stay there till July 12.

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