Temple robbery leads to tension, police lob teargas shells

Gulbarga, Apr 8(UNI) Police lobbed teargas shells after lathi charge was found futile to disperse a mob which indulged violence in protest against last night robbery in a temple in Jevargi town, about 40 km from here, today.

Police said that some miscreants robbed famous Mahalakshmi temple last night. The culprits, after breaking open the main door and had also robbed the devotees offerings to two temple Hundis. In all they had decomped with 30 kg silver ornaments 40 grsm gold jewelry.

As the news spread like wildfire large number of people took to street protesting against the robbery. They pelted stones and damaged a police jeep, two KSRTC buses and a private bus. The agitators also resorted to Rasta Roko on Bidar-Srirangapatna road forcing police to resort to lathi charge and lob teargas shells to disperse the mob that indulged in violence.

Ten people were injured in the violence.

The police have taken into custody Siddalingeswara swamy, head of Siddalingeswara Mutt and about 100 others.

The situation was stated to be tense but under control. Additional forces were rushed to the Jevargi Town.

Superintendent of Police Kabirkar visited the spot.

People of the Jevargi alleged that the police entered into houses and mercilessly beaten up the people including women.

UNI DP MSP RKN1507