GEORGE TOWN: Police maintained that the arrests of 20 youths over kavadi with swastika during Thaipusam, was done in accordance with the law.

Northeast district police chief ACP Mior Faridalatrash Wahid said the swastika emblem, identical to the Nazi symbol, was not sacred and auspicious to the Hindu community.

He said the use of the Nazi symbol is condemned by the international community and police cannot tolerate nor condone such acts.

"Thaipusam draws visitors from all over the world and we potray this condemned symbol as part of our culture," he said in a media statement.

The youths aged between 16 and 32 were picked up by police for carrying such kavadis during Thaipusam.

Three have been released on bail while 17 have been remanded pending investigations.

State PKR Youth deputy chief A. Kumaresan has since questioned police over the arrests which was deemed unbecoming during the festival.

Mior, however, added that the police's role was to maintain the law to ensure the safety of devotees and visitors.

"This is our utmost priority and we cannot allow a group of youths to sow fear among devotees and visitors," he stressed.