Bareilly, 17 July (HS): A conspiracy to hurt

religious sentiments has come to light in the holy month of Sawan. Late on Wednesday

night, miscreants vandalised the idol of Lord Kartikeya in the ancient Shiva

temple located in Kashipur village of Hafizganj police station area of

Bareilly. As soon as the news of the incident spread, there was a stir in the

village. On morning, the villagers gathered in the temple premises and

protested strongly and raised slogans.

On receiving the information, the sub-district magistrate, CO Nawabganj Gaurav

Singh, police station in-charge Hafizganj Pawan Kumar Singh along with a large

police force reached the spot. The police officers pacified the villagers by

explaining to them and assured them of restoring the statue soon.

Woman saw the damaged idol, uproar in the village: When a woman reached the

temple early and saw the broken idol of Lord Kartikeya, she immediately

informed the villagers. Soon a crowd of villagers gathered at the temple.

People's anger erupted and a tense atmosphere was created in the village in

protest against the incident.

FIR registered, police searching for accused: On the complaint of villager

Vinod Singh, police have registered an FIR against unknown people and started

investigation. Additional police force has been deployed in the village for

security. As the lock of the temple was found closed from outside, it is

suspected that after committing the crime, the accused closed the door and

fled.

Villagers are linking it to the Gangapur incident: This incident is being

linked to the incident of breaking of the statue of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in

Majra Gangapur of Baragaon in Nawabganj area a few days ago. In that case, a

case was registered against 19 people including a teacher, and the then station

in-charge was suspended. Villagers allege that after the Gangapur incident,

there was resentment among a particular caste and breaking the idol of the

temple could be a revenge for that. However, the police have refused to say

anything clearly on this angle.

CO said - arrest will be made soon: CO Nawabganj Gaurav Singh said that the

incident of breaking the statue of Lord Kartikeya is very unfortunate. A case

has been registered against unknown persons and the police is investigating from

every angle. Soon the accused will be identified and arrested. At present, the

situation in the village is completely normal.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi