Tension in Jammu after temple desecration'; mobile services suspended

Jammu: Mobile and internet services were on Wednesday suspended in Jammu following protests in parts of the city after an ancient temple was allegedly desecrated by a "mentally disturbed" person.

According to police officials, an ancient temple situated in Roop Nagar area of Jammu was vandalised on Tuesday which led to protests across the city.

"As a precautionary measure, we have decided to suspend mobile Internet services till the situation returns to normal", Deputy Commissioner (DC) Jammu, Simrandeep Singh said.

Singh said top police and civil officials have been monitoring the situation since last night and the decision to suspend the mobile Internet services was taken to stop any further flare-up of the situation.

He said if the situation remains normal, the suspension of mobile Internet services would be revoked in the evening.

Adequate police deployment has been made to thwart any untoward incident.

Protestors had Tuesday night set three vehicles on fire and had resorted to stone pelting on police after the news of the desecration of the temple spread in the city.

Police have arrested the man who allegedly vandalised the temple and have started the investigations. "Although we have arrested him, we are unable to carry out a probe into the matter as we are busy managing aggressive crowd. Many of them (protestors) were under influence of alcohol and even tried to gherao the police station," District Magistrate, Jammu, Simrandeep Singh told the media here.

"They intended to attack the police station, so we resorted to mild lathicharge and tear gas to disperse them," he added.

He further said Section 144 is not needed in the area, as the situation is under control.