Rajouri, Jan 12: Police on Monday recovered an ancient idol of a Hindu goddess that had gone missing from Kallar village in Rajouri district, a day after its disappearance triggered concern and tension in the area, with local residents praising the prompt action taken by the police.
An ancient idol of a Hindu Goddess, was recently unearthed during earth excavation work in Kallar village of Rajouri district, and had emerged as a centre of religious faith, drawing a large number of devotees to the site to pay obeisance.
In the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, the idol, which was kept at an open place in the village, went missing.
The matter came to light on Sunday morning, triggering concern and tension in the area.
The news of the missing idol spread rapidly, causing widespread anxiety among residents.
People from the area expressed serious concern and alleged involvement of miscreants in the theft.
They maintained that people of all communities have been living in harmony in the village and said the incident appeared to be a deliberate attempt to disturb communal peace.
They demanded immediate police intervention to recover the idol and identify those responsible.
Meanwhile, police teams swung into action on Sunday evening and initiated an investigation into the matter with a formal case was registered at Police Station Rajouri.
Officials said that more than half a dozen local residents were rounded up and questioned as part of the investigation.
Acting on specific leads developed during questioning, police conducted searches in the village and on Monday successfully recovered the missing idol.
Following the recovery, members of the Hindu community organised a press conference and lauded the prompt action and effective investigation carried out by the police, which they said led to the swift recovery of the idol.
They also appealed to the authorities to take stringent legal action against those involved in the theft to prevent such incidents in the future.
