Veroda temple complex vandalised

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2009-05-10
MARGAO - Several Hindu religious symbols like ghumtis, lingas, Tulsi vrindavan and deepstambh located at open places in a huge temple complex were vandalised at Talwaddo-Veroda in Salcete taluka at wee hours of Saturday, which rocked South Goa district. However, nobody has been arrested.
Desecration of temples and religious symbols has been on the rise in the state, especially in South Goa district.
The police said the incident came to light when the attorney of Ramnath Devasthan, Mr Mahesh Gaunker visited the Devasthan to collect a receipt book.
There are seven big and small temples, ghumtis, lingas and other religious symbols in the complex, which covers vast area and is known as ‘Seven Temples’. The police said the culprits did not damage the temples, but desecrated ghumtis of Lord Betal, Lord Brahman and Lord Jhalmi, several lingas, Tulsi vrindavan, deepstambh, which were at open places of the whole complex.
It is understood that the religious symbols were damaged by using heavy iron implement.
The police said that on Friday evening one Eknath had visited the place and conducted usual evening religious activity. Mr Gaunker has lodged a complaint with the Cuncolim police.
A sniffer dog and fingerprint expert were pressed into service to get a clue in the vandalisation. However, they could not give any major clue to lead the investigation. No weapon or tool was recovered during inspection carried out by the police and administrative officials.
A senior police officer said that police team had been working since the morning and that so far no one has been arrested in connection with the case. The South Goa superintendent of police, Mr Allan D’Sa, who camped at Cuncolim along with sub-divisional police officer, Mr Shamba Sawant, held a meeting with police officers and guided them.
The Cuncolim police said that the offence under section 295A and 153 has been registered for hurting religious sentiments. There is a possibility that investigation into the vandalisation could be handed over to the crime branch.
The news of the desecration of religious symbols spread like wildfire and several people from all section of society, including politicians, visited Veroda and expressed anger over the incident. Locals and people from nearby areas were anguished over the incident and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.
The locals held a meeting and decided to hold a peaceful morcha on Sunday.
The PWD Minister, Mr Churchill Alemao, the opposition leader, Mr Manohar Parrikar, the Fatorda MLA, Mr Damodar Naik, the Canocona MLA, Mr Ramesh Talwadkar and other politicians also visited the place.
Police teams from Margao, Cuncolim as well as crime branch team from Panaji with dog squad and fingerprint expert rushed to the place and investigations were on till late evening.
The South Goa collector, Mr Mihir Vardhan, the South Goa superintendent of police, the sub-divisional police officer, the DySP, crime branch, Mr Chandrakant Salgaunkar and the Cuncolim PI, Mr Sandesh Chodanker and others visited Veroda.