Tension gripped the Brahma Bari area of Udaipur after unidentified miscreants desecrated a Durga idol installed inside a Puja pandal in the early hours of Sunday. The incident, which occurred just days before the culmination of Durga Puja festivities, has left local residents shocked and angered.
According to members of the Puja organising committee, volunteers had been present at the pandal site until late Saturday night. “Our team stayed here till around 2 a.m. The vandalism likely took place in the early hours after they left,” said one of the organisers. They strongly condemned the act, terming it a deliberate attempt to disrupt communal harmony and incite unrest in the otherwise peaceful locality.
On receiving information, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Gomati district, Kiran Kumar K, rushed to the spot with a police team. Officers spoke to local residents, urging them to maintain peace and assuring that every effort would be made to bring the culprits to justice.
“Some parts of the idol were found damaged. We are treating this incident with utmost seriousness,” SP Kumar said. He further added that as part of the district’s special surveillance measures, CCTV cameras had been installed in front of all major Puja pandals, including the one at Brahma Bari. “We are currently examining the footage to identify those responsible,” he stated.
Police presence in the area has been stepped up to prevent any untoward incidents, and additional security arrangements are being made around major pandals. Community leaders have appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement agencies as the investigation continues.
The incident has cast a shadow over Durga Puja celebrations, with many demanding swift and strict action against the perpetrators.
