100-year-old temple attacked in Rawalpindi

Published March 29, 2021
After the temple was cleared of encroachments, renovation work was started. — Photo courtesy Mohammad Asim/File
After the temple was cleared of encroachments, renovation work was started. — Photo courtesy Mohammad Asim/File

RAWALPINDI: A group of unidentified people attacked an over 100-year-old Hindu temple at Purana Qila on Saturday, causing damage to its ongoing renovation work, stairs and doors.

Earlier, the encroachment mafia had occupied the surroundings of the temple over a long time by making shops and kiosks. The district administration assisted by the police recently removed all encroachments.

After the temple was cleared of encroachments, renovation work was started.

The security officer of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Northern Zone, Syed Raza Abbas Zaidi, lodged an FIR at Banni police station, saying that construction and renovation work on the temple had been going on for the last one month.

He said there were some encroachments in front of the temple which were removed on March 24. However, religious rites have not been started in the temple nor were there any idol or any other worship item.

The complainant said 10 to 15 people stormed the temple on Saturday at about 7.30pm and damaged the main door and another door at the upper story as well as the staircase.

He sought legal action against the people who had caused damage to the temple and its sanctity.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

A bloody year
Updated 07 Oct, 2024

A bloody year

Using the Oct 7 attacks as an excuse to wage endless aggression on Middle East, Israel has crossed all red lines.
Bleak cotton outlook
07 Oct, 2024

Bleak cotton outlook

THE extremely slow arrival of phutti at the ginning factories of Punjab and Sindh so far indicate a huge drop in the...
Killjoy neighbours
07 Oct, 2024

Killjoy neighbours

AT the worst of times in their bilateral relations, India and Pakistan have not shied away from carrying out direct...
Peak of success
06 Oct, 2024

Peak of success

IT started with the ascent of Nanga Parbat in 2017 and ended with the summit of Tibet’s Shishapangma on Thursday....
Indian visitor
06 Oct, 2024

Indian visitor

AMONGST the host of foreign dignitaries expected to fly into Islamabad for the SCO Council of Heads of Government...
Violence once again
Updated 06 Oct, 2024

Violence once again

The warring sides must rein in their worst impulses and prioritise the nation’s well-being over short-term gains.