KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 — A special task force has been set up at the federal level to track down those behind the rioting at the Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam Hindu temple in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said today.

The riots started early Monday morning and resulted in the destruction of a number of vehicles and the hospitalisation of several people, including a fireman whose ribs were broken and lungs punctured.

"So far we have arrested 21 people, 20 Malays and one Chinese for the commotion. They have been remanded and their remand will be extended today to facilitate investigations,” he said after launching two guide books on criminal investigations on the usage of Chemical Agents, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear elements and Explosives at the Police College here.

The IGP also clarified that one of the arrested men touted to be a police officer was not one as stated in some news reports but was a former member of the Police Volunteer Reserve (PVR).

"The person was an ex-PVR personnel who had been terminated and not a member of the police force,” said Mohamad Fuzi.

He said the police will continue to keep its 24-hour watch over the Hindu temple and its vicinity, but did not indicate how long this would be maintained.

He said a group numbering between 50 and 100 people had gathered outside the temple and tried to create trouble early this morning but his men took action and nipped it in the bud.