Two held over Thaipusam raid

Detainees linked to group that prevented Immigration Dept personnel from executing duties

KUALA LUMPUR: Police nabbed two men yesterday to assist in investigations into a commotion that occurred during a raid by the Selangor Immigration Department on business stalls allegedly run by foreigners during Thaipusam at the Batu Caves Sri Subramaniar Hindu Temple on Friday.

Gombak police chief ACP Arifai Tarawe said the suspects, aged 47 and 56, were held yesterday and were remanded for three days for investigations.

He said the suspects were traders who ran business stalls at the temple premises for the Thaipusam celebrations.

Arifai said the men were identified from videos of the incident that were shared on social media.

He said the case is being probed for criminal intimidation and obstructing a civil servant from carrying out his duties.

It is learnt that the Immigration Department had lodged a police report on the matter on Saturday.

On Friday night, about 50 Immigration Department personnel had arrived at the temple to carry out checks after receiving a tip-off that there were foreigners, namely Pakistanis and Indian nationals, who were illegally conducting business at the temple premises.

As the operation commenced, the personnel were surrounded by a large group of people who heckled, harassed and obstructed them from carrying out their duties.

To avoid any untoward incident as the area was packed with devotees and visitors, the operation was called off and the personnel were escorted out by the department’s special tactical squad. Immigration Department Director-General Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the incident would not deter his men from carrying out their duties.