Two-hundred-year old Shiv Temple gutted in fire in Karimganj district

A CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: Tension gripped the Ratabari constituency as a two-hundred-year old Shiva mandir was burnt to ashes by unidentified miscreants. The incident happened at Damcherra, a tribal village in Dullabcherra area of Ratabari constituency in Karimganj district on Monday night. Villagers on Tuesday morning found that the temple of Lord Shiva was completely gutted. Tension immediately spread over in the entire area. Tribal women were seen crying for justice while the villagers asked the government to arrest the culprits who had demolished their sacred place of worship. The temple was reportedly built in 18 century by Debiram Barman, a tribal leader. The idols of Lord Shiva, goddess Parvati and Lord Narayan and goddess Lakshmi were reduced to ashes. Deputy Commissioner Mridul Yadav, SP Partha Pratim Das arrived at the spot to control the situation.

Damcherra is mostly inhabited by tribals for centuries. But for last few years people belonging to other community started to encroach the land. Recently the administration had evicted the illegal encroachers and demolished their houses. But instead of leaving the place, the encroachers reportedly shifted to the nearby forest area. Police was reportedly investigating whether the incident of gutting down the temple had any connection with the recent eviction. Local BJP leaders alleged that it was an assault on Sanatan dharma and culprits should immediately be booked.

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