One arrested for desecrating idols in Kutch

RAJKOT: One person was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly desecrating idols in two temples in two villages of Bhachau taluka in Kutch district on Sunday.
Lakadiya police station team, which is investigating the case, got information that one man had been loitering around the temples. They traced the man to Hanjiya Vandh village near Bhachau and arrested the accused Manji Koli.
“Koli seems to be suffering from some mental ailment. He confessed to having desecrated the idols but is not giving clear replies regarding the reason for his act,” said a Lakadiya police official.
Police also got to know that Koli, who works as a farm labourer, used to often flee from his house but return back within a few days.
On Sunday morning, residents of Chandroli and Juna Katariya villages had alerted the cops after finding several idols desecrated.
Complainant Dharamshi Chand told police that he got a call from the priest of Pataleshwar Mahadev temple that the idols of several gods were missing from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and were found behind the temple near a tree in a damaged condition.
Later, villagers also got to know that 14 idols in Momai temple, three km from Juna Katariya village, were also vandalized.
The idols made of clay were found in the rear side of the temple.