Tensions flare in Indore after temple statues vandalised & thrown into Kanh river

Indore: Tensions prevailed near Sanjay Bridge in Indore after statues from a temple on the banks of the Kanh river were found uprooted and thrown into the water.

The incident came to light on Saturday morning when locals arrived at the temple and found the statues missing. Upon learning of the incident, Bajrang Dal activists and locals began a search in the river, where they managed to retrieve some of the vandalised statues. The recovered statues were washed and cleaned by the community members. Following the discovery, the activists proceeded to Kotwali police station to demand that an FIR be registered.

The protesters' anger was fuelled by the fact that this was not the first time the temple was targeted. Just a day earlier, on Friday, a similar incident occurred at a Lord Shiva temple on the banks of the river, where cattle remains were allegedly found.

Kotwali station house officer Ravindra Parashar assured the protesters that the culprits would be apprehended within a week. The police have taken an application regarding the statues being thrown into the river and have launched an investigation.

The repeated incidents of vandalism at the temple have left the local community deeply angered, demanding immediate action from the authorities.

"We have registered a case under section 299 (which deals with deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) and 331 (1) of BNS (lurking house-trespass or house-breaking). Further probe is on," Parashar told TOI.