Reasi: Fifteen people have been detained in connection with the alleged vandalism at a place of worship in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi, where local residents protested with a shutdown, PTI reported quoting officials.
The incident was discovered by a visitor in a village in the Dharmari area on Saturday evening, leading to tension and protests.
Police registered an FIR under relevant laws and established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police to identify and apprehend the culprits. By Sunday, 12 people had been detained, and three more suspects were taken into custody between Sunday night and Monday morning, bringing the total to 15.
The SIT is following various leads to solve the case and has urged the public to maintain law and order. In response to a bandh call by a local group, Reasi town and surrounding areas observed a shutdown on Monday, with groups of youths burning tyres on several roads.
A large number of protesters gathered at Zanana Park and marched towards Thapa Chowk, demanding stern action against the perpetrators.
Police and paramilitary forces were deployed in sensitive areas to maintain order. Reasi Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan visited the protest site, assuring protesters that strict action would be taken against those responsible. He emphasised that any attempts to disrupt peace and communal harmony would not be tolerated.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Reasi, Mohita Sharma, reiterated calls for calm and communal harmony, promising that the police were committed to resolving the case quickly. She stated that those involved would be booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and announced plans to install CCTV cameras at all temples in the district to prevent similar incidents in the future.
