25 arrested for violence in Risabhdev

Jaipur, Feb 8: Police have arrested 25 people for disrupting law and order in areas around Risabhdev Temple in Udaipur district of Rajasthan.

Tribals held protests yesterday fearing deprivation of worshipping rights at the temple after a recent Supreme Court ruling of handing over the temple to Jain Community.

The police have lodged four cases against the accused.

A January 4 Supreme Court ruling has directed that the temple functions be handed over to the Jain community who consider its deity Kesariyaji highly auspicious.

The ruling has enraged the tribals in the area who offer prayers to the deity as Kalia Bawa, as they fear they would be denied entry into the temple after Jains take over the trust. The Devasthan department have been conducting puja in the temple so far. At least 15,00 tribals had approached the temple through the Bilaak mountains yesterday. The tribals started pelting stones at the police.

The police had to lob teargas shells and resort to a mild lathicharge to disperse the rampaging tribals who damaged and set afire many vehicles and shops.

Four additional teams of Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) have been deployed in Rishabhdev. Top police and administrative officials are camping in the area to monitor the situation.

The police have lodged a case for damaging property and four other cases under different Sections. The 25 arrested have been booked under Section 151.

UNI