Ancient temple, two houses gutted in fire in Kishtwar

Kishtwar (J&K)

An ancient temple and two houses were gutted in a fire, triggering tension in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, where a shutdown was today observed in protest over the incident, police said.

A temple and two houses in Mughal Maidan area in the district were gutted in a blaze last night. It was not immediately clear as to what caused it, a police officer said.

As the news spread, a shut-down was today observed following a call given by the Sanatum Dharam Sabha (SDS).

All shops and business establishments remained closed in the city.

Minister of State for Roads and Buildings, Sunil Sharma and senior police officials, including IGP Jammu, Danish Rana and the SSP Kishtwar Sandeep Wazir rushed to the spot and are investigating the matter.

“A temple has been burnt, we are on the spot. A probe is on,” the Minister said.

“The temple along with two houses was completely damaged in the fire. Senior officials have reached the spot to ascertain the cause of the incident,” a senior police official said.

However, the local residents blame that some miscreants might have set the temple ablaze.

The situation remains tense, but under control, after various Hindu outfits in the area have called for a complete shutdown in the district following incident, police said.

PTI