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| Hindu, Muslim groups set example of harmony as ancient Nag temple burnt at Kishtwar | | |  Asif Iqbal Naik
Early Times Report
Kishtwar, Dec 15: The age old display of Hindu, Muslim harmony was witnessed in the communally sensitive town here today after the two communities made joint efforts to extinguish the fire that had engulfed the ancient Nag temple near Mughal Maidan.
Police sources said locals noticed flames emanating from the houses of Malal Singh and Bagh Chand, both residents of Chanser Mughal Maidan, at around 5 am Tuesday and raised an alarm. While the members of the two communities were busy in fighting the flames and rescuing an elderly deaf and dumb woman and a child, fire broke out under mysterious circumstances in the ancient Nag temple, which is about 700 mt from the gutted houses of Malal and Bagh. As there was no electricity connection in the temple, people suspected a foul play.
While the Hindus rushed towards the temple, the Muslims joined them too and both jointly started dousing the flames, risking their lives.Police too reached the spot after sometime.
Sources said despite their best efforts, the locals could not save the houses and the temple. Fire tenders reached the spot very late, sources added.
The burning of the temple, however, triggered strong resentment in the town, with Sanathan Dharam Sabha giving a bandh call. Its leaders condemned the incident and demanded identification of the culprits involved in the heinous crime. In response to the call, both the communities observed a complete bandh in Mughal Maidan and Chatroo areas.
Top officials and politicians reached the spot and pacified the protesters. They assured them that strict instructions for conducting a free and fair probe into the incident had been given.
On their assurance, the angered people lifted their blockade and dispersed peacefully.
While talking to "Early Times", a politician said that some mischievous elements were hell bent to destabilize peace and tranquility in the state with the aim to derail the development agenda of PDP-BJP government and added that government would not tolerate any such thing and would dealt with the miscreants with an iron hands.
Not ruling out politics behind the incident as Panchayat as well as local bodies elections were coming nearer, he said that government would not allow the repeat of communal incidents that could make direct impact on the development of the state as peace was imperative for development activities.
In response to the demand raised by the people with regard to providing security to the temples, a senior police official said that he had taken up the issue with the top officials and government is mulling to use VDCs/SPOs to guard these temples. In remaining cases, the government would draw a comprehensive plan to provide security to religious places. He said that Police top brass has ordered to place security guards outside the burnt temple forthwith. The Police officer also announced financial help of Rs 1 lakh for the reconstruction of the burnt temple and assured all possible help in future as well.
Meanwhile, the district administration has provided financial assistance of Rs 1lakh to the affected families out of Red Cross funds and also provided them tents, blankets, ration and Kitchen items and also assured them financial assistance under IAY for building their homes. Administration has also ordered for assessment of losses and for preparing relief cases. |
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