Ancient Temple Burnt in Doda

Protest against burning of temple in Doda

Hundreds of people from about a dozen villages in Doda and Ramban districts held a demonstration and staged a dharna outside the official residence of the local deputy commissioner by blocking the road for more than an hour here this morning in protest against the burning down of an ancient temple at Gala Dhar. The villagers alleged that the temple was burnt down by some miscreants on the intervening night of December 9 and 10.

The villagers were demanding detailed investigation into the fire incident and stern action against the miscreants, who were involved in it. The protestors called off their protest and dharna after assurances from the deputy commission Farooq Ahmed Khan that SSP and DySP had already gone to the spot for investigation and action would be taken against the culprits.

Another group of people from different villages in tehsil Ramban crossed river Chenab to protest at Batote on National Highway but were stopped by police at various points. Hundreds of people from these areas met DIG of police Doda range, who gave a patient hearing to the agitating villagers and assured that Doda Administration would take action within five days and shall not leave any stone unturned to catch the culprits.

People from villages Dhandal, Kastigarh, Bhagwah, Dessa, Chill, Bibrota, Chuchater, Kamit, Gagla, Shamthi,  Rajgarh, Chaka Kundi and other areas of Doda and Ramban districts had gathered here this morning. They also blocked the roads for about an hour and disrupted the traffic movement.

The demonstrators led by C L Thakur Advocate, Raman Pardeep, Advocate, Gajay Singh Rana and other prominent persons of Doda met the deputy commissioner. They alleged that the administration and police had not taken any action in the past when the thousand year old temple was burnt the first time in 1995 then in 2009. It was reconstructed and an idol was installed.

It may be recalled that on the intervening night of December 9 and 10, the temple was set afire by some unidentified persons at about 2.00 AM. The high rising flames were seen by villagers from the surrounding areas. Yesterday morning about 300 villagers reached the temple site at Gala Dhar to see the charred remains of the temple. A DySP and some cops from the nearby area also visited the spot and noticed the foot-prints of the miscreants on the fresh snow around the temple premises.

All the demonstrators again met at Ramlila Ground and unanimously took the decision to meet on December 16 next and hold demonstration at Doda and chalk out further course of action on December 15. C L Thakur Advocate and prominent social worker was unanimously nominated convener of the action committee to spearhead the agitation.