SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Dec 16: A few anti-social elements on the intervening night of Thursday/Friday vandalised an ancient Hanuman temple at the main Bhowra market under Bhowra (OP) police station, around 14 km away from district headquarters. They also dismantled the idols of the gods and goddesses.
The police said that three youths were allegedly involved in the incident out of which two have been arrested on the complaint of the temple committee president. Search for the third accused is on.
The accused youths created a ruckus in the temple at night. They vandalised the inside floor of the temple and dismantled the idols into pieces. The priest first spotted the vandalism and immediately informed the temple committee members. Later, tension brewed as the devotees appeared for morning worship.
As the news spread, traders shut down the market in a protest demanding immediate arrest of the culprits involved in the incident.
On getting the information, police officers of Bhowra OP reached the spot. They took two youths in custody who were then taken to the police station to soothe the irate mob.
Temple committee president Shambhu Kumar Baranwal said that besides the arrest of the accused, the committee has also demanded compensation for vandalism from the youths involved in the incident so that the damage could be repaired.
Unofficial sources said that three local youths, who have been identified, had a brawl with the son of the temple priest two days ago and they vandalised the temple in retaliation.
In two months, this is the second incident in the Dhanbad district when an idol has been dismantled. In October 2022, anti-social elements vandalised a Hanuman idol in the Govindpur block.
