150 Shiv Sainiks held for trying to offer 'jalabhishek'

Varanasi, Aug 27 (UNI) At least 150 Shiv Sena activists were arrested from three separate places here today, while trying to proceed to the highly sensitive Gyanwapi-Kashi Vishwanath complex to offer 'jalabhishek' at the shrine of Shringar Gauri.

The Shiv Sainiks, including district president Gulshan Kapoor, Ajay Chaubey and Shiv Seth were arrested from Chitaranjan Park, Godowlia and Mehmoorganj, while proceeding to offer 'jalabhishek' at the Shringar Gauri shrine.

''The Sena activists were arrested to maintain law and order on the last Monday of the auspicious 'shrawan' month today. Besides, their arrest was also necessary for maintaining status quo on the Gyanwapi-Kashi Vishwanath complex where there is no tradition of 'jalabhishek' of the Shringar Gauri shrine by any group,'' Police Superintendent (City) Rajiv Mehrotra said.

The Sena activists were later set free.

Meanwhile, an estimated 1.5 lakh devotees had offered prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple here on the last Monday of 'shrawan' till 1700 hrs today, temple sources said.

Security had been heightened at the Gyanwapi-Kashi Vishwanath complex in the wake of Saturday last twin blasts in Hyderabad.

Security at other Shiv temples that also reported surge of devotees was also beefed up.

UNI