Mentally ill held for bid to vandalise idol

Our Correspondent

Chamba, August 14

A 35-year-old mentally ill man was arrested by the police allegedly on the charges of bid to vandalise the rock-carved idol at Sarotha located on the outskirts of Chamba town on Tuesday.

The rock-carved idols at Sarotha are protected by the Archaeology Survey of India (ASI).

On receiving the information about the incident, the Superintendent of Police, Chamba, Dr Monika Bhutungru, conducted a spot inspection and observed that the original stone idol was untouched and it was only the vermilion layer which had been damaged.

However, on the complaint of ASI officials, an FIR under Section 295 of the IPC had been registered against the accused at the local police station.

The SP said further investigation was on in the case.