Hindus demand security cover for temple

Shillong, Jun 12 (UNI) In the aftermath of yesterday's bomb attack, the Central Puja Committee today urged the Meghalaya government to provide adequate security cover to the age-old Durga temple at Nartiang village in Jaintia Hills District.

Four persons, including two minors stated to be the relatives of the priests, were critically wounded in the crude bomb blast at the temple complex.

Talking to reporters here, CPC General Secretary J L Das confirmed that the temple was not damaged, but the major damage was done to the hut, in which the injured were sleeping.

A fact finding team of CPC visited Nartiang yesterday and assessed the situation.

''We have requested the government to set up a police outpost for safety of the age-old traditional and heritage of the 500-year-old temple, including the relic placed there by the Jaintia Kings, centuries ago,'' Mr Das said.

Nartiang, the erstwhile summer capital of the Jaintia monarchs, is also a historical and spiritual destination, where the Durga festival is celebrated in the traditional Khasi style.

Perched on a hilltop is the 500-year-old temple of Maa Durga, while nearby is a temple of Lord Shiva and Hishari, where vintage cannons of the Sutnga or Jaintia kings are preserved.

The CPC team also visited the wounded undergoing treatment at KJP Hospital Jowai and found that two minors were in a serious condition. The doctors at the hospital favoured shifting of the injured to NEIGRIHMS in Shillong.

The CPC asked the state government to pay compensation to the injured and also bear their entire medical expenditure.

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