J&K temple vandalised, 12 detained

JAMMU: Unidentified vandals damaged idols and ransacked a Shiv temple in Dharmari in J&K’s Reasi district on Saturday night, raising tension and prompting police to detain 12 suspects.

Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Mahajan rushed to the temple on Saturday night and assured the agitated locals that the culprits would be arrested soon.

As photos and videos of the vandalism went viral, locals and several Hindu bodies held protests at various places in Jammu. Sanatan Dharma Sabha has called for a bandh in Reasi on Monday. Locals alleged a conspiracy to disturb the peace in the region during the Amarnath Yatra.

“Three suspects were nabbed on Saturday night, and nine on Sunday,” said SSP Mohita Sharma. The SSP appealed for calm, asserting that an SIT has been formed to crack the case at the earliest.