Death toll in attack at temple rises to three

Tribune News Service

Karnal, August 20

The death toll in the attack at the ‘Bhai-Behan Mandir’ in Manglora village on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday has risen to three.

Ravinder Kumar (38), a resident of Bhambharehri village in Assandh block who was injured in the attack, succumbed to his injuries at PGI late on Sunday night.

Preliminary investigation indicates one of the accused, identified as Sunil alias Ganja, a resident of Manglora, had an altercation with the priest and ‘sewadar’ in the day time. To “take revenge”, he, along with his accomplices, allegedly attacked the temple at night.

Meanwhile, the police are also investigating the case from other angles as similar cases have been reported from Aligarh in UP. The Karnal police are also in touch with the UP Police to crack the case.

Meanwhile, Surinder Singh Bhoria, Superintendent of Police (SP), has constituted a SIT led by DSP Virender Kumar. The main hurdle in the investigation is the critical condition of both the injured as they are not fit to give any statement.

“We have detained some suspects and are investigating all the angles including the altercation of Sunil with the priest. We are also in touch with the UP Police as similar cases have been reported there also,” the SP said. He denied any loot in the temple.

Some unidentified assailants had attacked the temple and killed priest Vinod Sharma and ‘sewadar’ Sultan. They also attacked three other persons — Ajay, a resident of Sangoha village; Ravinder, a resident of Bhambharehri village; and Harjinder Singh. Later, Ravinder succumbed to his injuries.

After the incident, a tense situation prevails in the vicinity and people are demanding the arrest of the accused.