Hanuman idol desecrated in Ballia

VARANASI: Unidentified people desecrated an idol of Lord Hanuman at a temple in Ballia district of eastern Uttar Pradesh on late Tuesday night, police said. The vandals also put a poster with a controversial slogan on the idol, police added.

The secluded temple is situated along the Nagara-Chandravar road near Kharuaon village under Nagara police station area of Ballia district, the police added. Police, who said the incident came to light on Wednesday morning, later immersed the damaged idol in the Ganga in the presence of locals.

Circle officer, Rasda, Awadhesh Chaudhary said, “A case has been registered in this connection under Section 295 of IPC (injuring or defiling a place of worship with an intent to insult the religion of any class) following a complaint by the locals. Strict action will be taken against the anti-social elements who committed the offence.” The situation was normal, he added. Station officer Ramdinesh Tiwari said, “Anti-social elements committed this act with an intention to cause a breach of the peace.”

A new idol will be installed in the temple, he added. A large number of locals from adjoining areas gathered at the spot and demanded immediate action after the incident came to light.

Police pacified the locals who claimed that a monkey died after coming in contact with a live electricity wire passing over a neem tree at the spot a few months ago. After that, the locals constructed a small temple and installed an idol of Lord Hanuman. When locals visited the temple on Wednesday morning, they found the idol desecrated.