Nandyal Superintendent of Police Suneel Sheoran on Tuesday night clarified that the police did not resort to lathicharge on the devotees who took Shiva Deeksha at Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy temple at Srisailam on Monday.

With the YSRCP accusing the State government of mismanagement leading to chaos and lathicharge by police on the devotees, the SP on Tuesday issued a statement, saying that some elderly women were being given first-aid at the main entrance of the temple as they felt uneasy. The devotees tried to barge into the temple through the main entrance.

Apprehending danger to the elderly women, Additional Superintendent of Police Yugandhar Babu stopped the devotees from forcing their way into the temple. “No lathicharge had taken place. We appeal to the devotees to follow the suggestions of the police, have hassle-free darshan and return to their destinations safely,” the SP said.

Published – February 11, 2026 12:34 am IST