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Tension grips Indian-controlled Kashmir's Jammu over temple "desecration"

Xinhua, June 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

The authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Jammu city, the winter capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, on Wednesday following violent clashes between protesters and police over an alleged desecration of a Hindu temple.

Tension gripped the city on Tuesday evening after protesters belonging to Hindu community took to roads to protest the alleged ransacking of a Hindu temple at the hands of a Muslim youth in Janipura area.

"The trouble began after some people spotted a Muslim youth indulging in desecration at the temple," Amit Kumar, a local resident said. "Though the youth was arrested by police but a policeman slapped the temple's priest during the melee, which worsened the situation."

The irate protesters attacked a local police station and set ablaze three vehicles including two buses of a police school. Police fired dozens of tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters and clashes continued for hours until late Tuesday.

Reports said the protesters also threw stones at house of a local minister and shops belonging to members of Muslim community in the area.

Police officials said they have detained 25-year-old Mohammed Yasir for the alleged desecration at temple. However, his brother Tanvir Ahmad told the police that Yasir was mentally unsound and had ran away from the a nearby psychiatric clinic.

The authorities have suspended mobile internet services in Jammu as a precautionary measure to prevent what they describe spreading of "rumours".

Region's Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has appealed for calm.

A local minister Abdul Haq Khan told region's lawmaking body (that is currently in session) that the youth was arrested and the priest along with others persons tried to stop police from discharging their duties.

"As per information received by Roopnagar police station, one mentally disturbed person, identified as Yasir of Doda, tried damaging and defiling a temple in Janipur area. The accused was arrested by police but while he was being taken away, the temple priest and some local residents tried preventing police from discharging their duties," Khan said.

Though Indian-controlled Kashmir is a Muslim majority region, however, in Jammu city, the Hindus are in majority. Endit