*18 suspects detained for questioning
Govind Sharma
JAMMU, July 1: A complete and peaceful shutdown was observed today in entire Reasi district against vandalism at Shiv Temple in Dharmari area of the district that took place on Saturday morning while the protests were also held in several parts of Jammu seeking arrest of the culprits.
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The normal life was disrupted badly as all markets and shops in Reasi district remained closed and the vehicles were off the road. Not only Reasi town, but also Pouni, Talwara, Salal, Arnas, Dharmari and Kouri areas observed complete shutdown as the desecration of a temple in Dharmari area triggered widespread outrage among the Hindu community
Protesters took to the streets early this morning, igniting tyres and staging a sit-in protest, obstructing vehicular traffic on major roads in Reasi. The shutdown was organized under the banner of Sanatan Dharam Sabha Reasi, which holds significant cultural and religious value for residents of Dharmari and surrounding areas. Demonstrators demanded swift action against those responsible for the act of desecration.
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The main protest held in Reasi town, where thousands of people in the form of a rally marched from Chowk Chabutra towards PWD Dak Bungalow while passing through main bazaars. Protestors handed over a memorandum to the Government, urging stringent measures against the culprits without any delay. As the police and paramilitary forces were deployed in strength in the sensitive areas as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, the shutdown remained peaceful.
Deputy Commissioner of Reasi, Vishesh Paul Mahajan visited the protest site near Dak Bungalow and tried to pacify the protesters, assuring that stern action would be taken against the culprits. “Anyone trying to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere will not be spared. It is an attempt to create hurdles and sabotage developmental activities, besides communal harmony,” he added.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Reasi, Mohita Sharma appealed the people to maintain calm and communal harmony, assuring that the police were committed to solving the case and tracing the culprits at the earliest as an FIR has already been registered at Arnas Police Station and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police was formed.
She informed that 18 suspects have been detained by the police and they are being interrogated. “Those found involved in the case will be booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA), while the district administration has decided to prepare a list of all temples for installation of CCTV cameras to work as a deterrent against such incidents,” she told reporters at the protesting site.
While speaking to Excelsior, Sanatan Dharam Sabha president Brij Mohan stated that the protest was called off today. A 72-hour ultimatum was issued to administration and police officials for the arrest of culprits, otherwise more aggressive protest will be organized.
Meanwhile, J&K BJP secretary and district Reasi Prabhari Arvind Gupta, district president Rohit Dubey, district vice president, and district Bar Association president Advocate Pawan Dev Singh and VHP district president Karan Singh visited Dharmahi, the place where the act of vandalism took place. The BJP leaders denounced the attack on the Temple, urging the administration to take stringent action against the perpetrators. They met with the local people and discussed the matter with the SIT team to gather information.
In Jammu also, several organizations held protest against the desecration of temple. Scores of Bajrang Dal activists staged a protest on BC Road near Trikuta Complex, demanding swift action against the culprits. They also burnt an effigy to express their anger.
Activists of Mission Statehood Jammu Kashmir (MSJK) led by their president Sunil Dimple staged a protest at New Plot on Janipur-High Court Road. Dimple demanded the Reasi administration to identify the culprits and book them under stringent laws.
Hindustan Shiv Sena strongly condemned the incident. “The incident was aimed at disrupting the peace in Jammu and Kashmir during ongoing Amarnath Yatra,” said UT president of Hindustan Shiv Sena, Vikrant Kapoor. He demanded strict action against the culprits and warned of taking to streets in case of any delay.
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