Srinagar: A special investigation has been constituted to trace the miscreants who vandalised an ancient Barghshikha Bhavani temple in south Kashmir district of Anantnag on Saturday evening.
Meanwhile, the incident has been widely condemned by politicians who demanded stern action against the miscreants.
Official sources said some miscreants desecrated and defiled ancient Barghshikha Bhavani temple at Mattan mountain ridge in Anantnag Saturday night.
They said special team has been constituted to trace the miscreants involved in vandalizing the temple.
Two former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Farooq and Apni Party (AP) General secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir have strongly condemned the incident and demanded stern action against the miscreants.
Condemning the incident, Vice President National Conference (NC) Omar urged the administration and the Jammu and Kashmir Police to nab the culprits.
Taking to micro blogging site Twitter, Omar wrote: "Unacceptable. I strongly condemn this vandalism & urge the administration, especially @JmuKmrPolice police to identify the culprits so they can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Mehbooba in a tweet said “Pained & disturbed by reports of malicious damage & vandalism at the Mata temple in Mattan. Need of the hour is to reassure our pandit brethren. Request SSP Anantnag & DC Anantnag to look into the matter immediately”.
Former minister and Peoples Conference (PC) president Sajjad Gani Lone in a tweet said “Reports of vandalism at an ancient temple in Mattan. This is utterly deplorable. And the actions of a fringe lunatic minority. These r some psychopaths who derive pleasure out of destructive actions”.
Rafi Ahmad Mir taking to micro blogging site said, “Apni Party General Secretary and Former Legislator Rafi Ahmad Mir (@Rafiahmadmir) has condemned the vandalism of a temple in #Mattan #Anantnag. Terming the incident shocking and unacceptable he has demanded strong action against the miscreants”.
Police have registered a case and initiated investigation, they said. (UNI)