Jaipur: Additional forces were deployed in some villages of Rajasthan on Wednesday to maintain the peace after the demolition of a temple built on encroached land led to tension.

Incidents of stone pelting were reported from different villages of Rajsamand district after a tussle broke out between the administration and villagers of Tarsingda. On Tuesday night, a car was set on fire and a shop was also gutted. The administration then called the villagers for fresh talks on Wednesday to ensure that the situation remains under control and they held no grudges with the administration.

“The villagers have been informed that if they want to have a temple at the said land, they will have to follow proper protocol and it seems they too have understood the same,” said District Collector PC Berwal.

Berwal told IANS that the villagers of Tarsingda had installed an idol in a temple which was removed and the temple was demolished on Monday night as it was built on government land.

“As the temple was built on encroached land, we had to demolish it. However, the religious sentiments of the villagers were hurt in the process.

“On Tuesday evening, they took out a silent and peaceful procession. They were in large numbers and had gathered outside the Collectorate demanding the re-installation of idols in the temple. They also submitted a memorandum in the same reference,” he said.

“Meanwhile, a few miscreants started raising inflammatory slogans while on their way to the village and some of them resorted to stone pelting making the situation tense in the village.

Indo-Asian News Service