The desecration of a temple by a “mentally challenged” youth sparked violent protests in Jammu on Wednesday.
The authorities have suspended Internet services in the Jammu city to prevent rumour-mongering.
Several vehicles were set afire by protesters at Roop Nagar in Jammu on Tuesday night after the youth from a particular community barged into the temple at Janipur, threw stones at windowpanes and tried to damage the idol.
The protesters clashed with the police well into the night.
MLAs seek statementIn the Assembly, BJP MLAs demanded a statement from the government. “A mentally disturbed person, identified as Yasir of Doda, tried to damage and defile a temple at Janipur. He was arrested. However, the priest and a few locals tried to prevent the police from discharging their duties,” Law Minister Abdul Haq Khan said in the House.
Two police buses were torched by the mob and three policemen, including a Station House Officer, were injured, he said.
Situation being monitoredChief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh rushed to Jammu “to monitor the situation.”
National Conference working president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concern over the situation. NC MLA Altaf Ahmad Kaloo and Independent Engineer Rasheed urged the government “to ensure the safety of Kashmiris staying in the Jammu region.”
Mr. Kaloo accused the police of detaining four boys from Pahalgam in the Kashmir Valley. “What is their fault,” he asked.
