Police presence outside the Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam temple and its vicinity remained heavy after a small group attempted to create trouble again at about midnight.
A Federal Reserve Unit truck was parked outside the temple with a number of Light Strike Force (LSF) personnel on watch. Over 20 policemen stood guard right outside the temple grounds.
Several other members of the anti-riot squad were seen having a quick breakfast on site after the long night of keeping guard to ensure peace and order so that Hindus who worship at the temple could undertake their prayers without fear of another riot.
A number of police patrol cars were also seen in the neighbourhood, and more police officers were making their rounds on foot.
The police presence lives up to the promise made by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim to reinforce security so there would be no repeat of the violence that broke out predawn Monday and another round the next day when journalists and photographers covering the controversy were assaulted by rioters.
At about 11pm yesterday, a rowdy group of mostly Malay youths dressed in black and numbering roughly 70 gathered outside the temple in an intimidation attempt.
The group chanted “Hidup Melayu” and “Allahuakbar” as they marched to the temple from Jalan Usaha.
Police stopped them from advancing onto the highway, which is situated next to the temple.
The group spokesman, Shahrizad Sahak said the purpose of their visit was to gather peacefully and was not meant as an “attack” on the Indians.
“We are just here to express ourselves and not for political reasons.
“We are asking them to not step on the Malays.
“What we are asking is that, do not force us. What we are asking is do not sideline the Malays,” he said briefly.
Arriving on motorcycles, they ignored police orders to disperse and after almost three hours, the LSF were seen approaching them with batons.
While many of the youngsters started to disperse, some stayed put and four troublemakers were arrested.
The four were detained after police initiated a 10-second and a final three-second countdown for the demonstrators to disperse.
Around a dozen LSF personnel formed a human barricade as they marched forward, with ordinary police personnel leading the charge.
The chase stretched to about 700 metres away from the temple.
It is believed one of those nabbed was expected to sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia later today.
The LDP route between Putra Heights and USJ was cordoned off by the police at around 6pm yesterday with motorists advised to take a detour. The road was reopened at 3.10am today.
It is understood that only devotees performing prayers were allowed to enter the temple’s vicinity through checkpoints set up at nearby.
A handful of temple visitors remained in the temple compound throughout the night.
A mobile police tent has been set up nearby the temple compound to coordinate police operations on the ground.
Earlier reports:
Nov 27, Temple Riots: 19 Remanded, Including Three One City Employees
Nov 26, Riot Breaks Out over Relocation of Subang Jaya Temple