Jharkhand: Tension In Sahibganj After Hanuman Idol Vandalised, Internet Services Suspended

In the early hours of Monday, an idol of Lord Hanuman was vandalised in Sahibganj, Jharkhand, and a person has been detained in connection with the incident.

The 1.5-foot-tall idol is housed in a temple under a tree in the Sahibganj town police station area.

Source : ANI

An idol of Lord Hanuman was vandalised in the early hours of Monday in Sahibganj, Jharkhand, and a person has been detained in connection with the incident, news agency PTI reported citing an official.

#WATCH | Jharkhand: Tension prevailed in Sahibganj after a Hanuman temple near Patel chowk was vandalised by miscreants earlier today. Additional Police forces deployed. pic.twitter.com/9v3PZ499hA

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2023

The 1.5-foot-tall idol is housed in a temple under a tree in the Sahibganj town police station area, 425 kilometres from Ranchi, according to Sahibganj deputy commissioner Ramniwas Yadav. As word of the incident spread in the morning, right-wing activists and locals gathered near the temple and blocked the road for about an hour, demanding that the perpetrator be apprehended.

"There is a Hanuman temple near Patel Chowk, and anti-social elements indulged in mischief there. We have recovered the CCTV footage. We are verifying it. Some people have been identified, they will be questioned. District Administration will take stringent action against them:" Sahibganj deputy commissioner was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI. 

According to PTI, police used the stick to disperse the crowd. During the day, the administration suspended internet services as a precautionary measure, it said. 

"The man was detained by police, and he is being interrogated thoroughly, Yadav said. "The situation in town is well under control. As a precaution, we have suspended internet service for 24 hours beginning at 9 am on Monday," he added further.

Anuranjan Kispotta, superintendent of police in Sahibganj, told PTI that security forces have been deployed in the area and that the situation is under control.

"The idol was repaired and returned to its original location," he stated.

A senior police officer was injured during a clash between two communities in Sahibganj town on Saturday during the immersion of a Durga idol.

Goddess Durga is worshipped in Jharkhand during the 'Chaiti Durga' festival, which takes place around this time of year.