Jammu, a place of worship was allegedly vandalized by unidentified people in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, sparking protests on Sunday by locals belonging to the Hindu and Muslim communities, officials said.
At least 12 people have been detained as the police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), while Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan assured the protesters that stern action will be taken against the culprits.
The place of worship was found vandalized by a visitor in a village in Dharmari area on Saturday afternoon, sparking tension and spontaneous protests, with protesters demanding that the culprits be identified and punished.
Members of the Hindu and Muslim communities jointly organized the protests and said such incidents are a deliberate attempt to create a wedge between them to damage the ancient brotherhood in the district.
The protesters blocked the district's main road by burning tires and staging a sit-in, officials said, adding that they dispersed peacefully after senior police officials told them that an FIR had been registered and efforts were on to nab the protesters. guilty
"Whoever tries to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere will not be spared. It is an attempt to create obstacles and sabotage developmental activities as well as communal harmony.
"This is my assurance... We will not tolerate any attempt to harm peace in the district," the deputy commissioner said.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Reasi, Mohita Sharma, said 12 people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
A case under section 295 (damage or desecration of a place of worship, with intent to insult religion of any class) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been lodged at the Arnas police station and an investigation is underway. further investigation, he added.
Perceiving the seriousness of the incident, the SSP has constituted an SIT under the supervision of the deputy superintendent of police operations, Reasi, who together with his team is stationed in Arnas for the priority investigation of the case.
Police teams swung into action and detained three suspects on Saturday night, while a series of raids continued on Sunday and around nine more suspects were detained for questioning, Sharma said.
The SSP appealed to the people to maintain calm, peace and communal harmony in the district, assuring that the police are committed to solving the case and locating the culprits at the earliest.
At least 12 people have been detained as the police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), while Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan assured the protesters that stern action will be taken against the culprits.
The place of worship was found vandalized by a visitor in a village in Dharmari area on Saturday afternoon, sparking tension and spontaneous protests, with protesters demanding that the culprits be identified and punished.
Members of the Hindu and Muslim communities jointly organized the protests and said such incidents are a deliberate attempt to create a wedge between them to damage the ancient brotherhood in the district.
The protesters blocked the district's main road by burning tires and staging a sit-in, officials said, adding that they dispersed peacefully after senior police officials told them that an FIR had been registered and efforts were on to nab the protesters. guilty
"Whoever tries to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere will not be spared. It is an attempt to create obstacles and sabotage developmental activities as well as communal harmony.
"This is my assurance... We will not tolerate any attempt to harm peace in the district," the deputy commissioner said.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Reasi, Mohita Sharma, said 12 people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
A case under section 295 (damage or desecration of a place of worship, with intent to insult religion of any class) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been lodged at the Arnas police station and an investigation is underway. further investigation, he added.
Perceiving the seriousness of the incident, the SSP has constituted an SIT under the supervision of the deputy superintendent of police operations, Reasi, who together with his team is stationed in Arnas for the priority investigation of the case.
Police teams swung into action and detained three suspects on Saturday night, while a series of raids continued on Sunday and around nine more suspects were detained for questioning, Sharma said.
The SSP appealed to the people to maintain calm, peace and communal harmony in the district, assuring that the police are committed to solving the case and locating the culprits at the earliest.
