Tension gripped Poonch this morning as news spread about some youths of the majority community forcibly entering Lakshmi Narayan Temple at Jhullas the previous evening and manhandling youths of the minority community while objecting to the use of a loudspeaker.
This was the third incident within a week wherein attempts had been made to disrupt peaceful atmosphere in the region by interfering in religious affairs at temples.
Sources said youths of the majority community barged into the temple at Jhullas at 8:30 pm on Sunday, which was resisted by youths taking part in ‘aarti’ at the temple.
The youths from the majority community manhandled the youths taking part in ‘aarti’ and objected to the use of loudspeaker during the evening.
Within no time, hundreds of people from the minority community rushed to the spot and asked the police to arrest the miscreants. People from the majority community gathered on the spot and both groups started raising slogans against each other.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Mujeeb-ul-Rehman, Poonch City SHO Jatinder Raina and a police party rushed to the spot and pacified both groups.
Members of the minority community demanded the registration of an FIR against the miscreants. The police assured them of action against the culprits.
Poonch Deputy Commissioner Haroon Malik convened a meeting of civil society members at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office Complex and appealed both the communities to maintain
peace and brotherhood in the district.
Members of the minority community raised the issue regarding the incident and asked the administration to take strict action against persons deliberately trying to disturb peace in the district.
They demanded an investigation into the matter and alleged that there was a deep conspiracy to target places of worship of the minority community.
Leaders of the majority community condemned the incident. They asked the administration to take the matter seriously and not allow such persons to disturb peace in the district.
The administration assured members of the minority community of action. It warned the miscreants to be cautious in the future as such activities would not be tolerated.
Muslims object to use of loudspeakers in Hindu temple; leads to tension in Poonch
