A place of worship was allegedly vandalised by unidentified persons in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, triggering protests on Sunday (June 30) by locals belonging to both the Hindu and Muslim communities, officials said. At least 12 people were detained after the police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan has assured the protesters that stern action will be taken against the culprits.
The place of worship was found vandalised by a visitor in a village in the Dharmari area on Saturday evening, which sparked tension and spontaneous protests, with the protesters demanding that the culprits be identified and punished.
Hindus and Muslims stage protests
Members of both Hindu and Muslim communities jointly staged protests and termed such incidents a “deliberate attempt” to create rift among them to disturb age-old brotherhood in the district.
The protesters blocked the main road in the district by burning tyres and staging a sit-in, the officials said, adding that they dispersed peacefully after senior police officers told them that an FIR has been registered and efforts are on to nab 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.
"This is my guarantee....We will not tolerate any attempt to damage peace in the district," the deputy commissioner said.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Reasi, Mohita Sharma said 12 people have been detained in connection with the incident.
A case under section 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been lodged at the Arnas police station and further investigation is on, she added.
(With PTI inputs)
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