Criminals kill priest, decamp with idols; PAC deployed

Etah, Sep 2 (UNI) Tension gripped the region after unidentified assailants killed a priest and fled with 10 ''astadhatu'' idols from an ancient temple here late last night, police said today.

Nearly all the markets of the city remained closed today and PAC had been garrisoned as a precautionary measure.

Unidentified miscreants barged into the Agarwal temple in Kotwali area and stole 10 ancient ''astadhatu'' idols, besides jewellery and cash after stragulating 'mahant' Ramji Lal, SSP Satendra Vir Singh said Learning about the incident, irate mob blocked roads at several locations and pelted stones at the police.

Police had to resort to canecharge to disperse the mob, Mr Singh added.

Areas falling near the incident site had been sealed and a large number of PAC had been deployed to avoid any untoward incident.

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