Our Correspondent

Palampur, April 3

Bhedu Mahadev and Akshyana temples in the Sulaha area of Palampur region were ransacked by some miscreants last evening. Not only this, pujaris of both temples were also beaten up mercilessly.

Some antisocial elements entered the temples, attacked the pujaris, ransacked all rooms and fled with the mobiles phones of pujaris and cash.

Villagers said the matter came to light in the morning, when pujaris of both temples reported the matter to the members of the temple management committees and panchayat pradhans.

They said the burglars had weapons and iron rods, adding that they also destroyed the temple property and searched all rooms.

They decamped with Rs 9,500 along with the mobile phone of one of the pujaris at Bhedu Mahadev.

There was no cash with the pujari at Akshyana temple, but burglars fled with the change from the “dan patra” and mobile phone of the pujari.

Both pujaris told The Tribune that they resisted the attempts of the burglars to loot the temple in the beginning, but were mercilessly beaten up later and thrown out of the temple complex.

They said there was threat to their lives and they could be attacked again since there was no adequate security for them.

Strong resentment prevails in the entire Sulaha area over the incident. Villagers have decided to provide security to both temples as they did not expect much from the police. They said in present situation even temples were not secure and demanded that night patrolling be geared up in the areas to restore the confidence of people.

Meanwhile, SHO Bhawarna police station Raj Kumar said the first information report had been registered against unidentified people, but no arrest had been made so far.

He said different police parties have been sent to to arrest the culprits.