Varanasi: Tension prevailed in Sathwa village under Sarnath police station after an idol of Lord Hanuman was allegedly vandalised by unidentified anti-social elements on Monday night. Police reached the village before any protest could erupt and pacified the residents.After taking stock at the spot, DCP Varuna Zone Pramod Kumar said the idol had been installed on a platform beneath a tree on private land on the outskirts of Sathwa village. Villagers informed police that drug and liquor addicts frequently gathered in the area, particularly at night. Police suspect that such elements may have been involved in damaging the idol.Officials assured the villagers that the accused would be arrested after registration of a case. Following the assurance, villagers decided to install a new idol on their own.Earlier in the morning, farmers heading to their fields in Bauli area on the outskirts of Sathwa village noticed that the small Hanuman temple had been vandalised. The idol had been broken into pieces and dumped outside the shrine. They informed local residents, following which a large number of villagers gathered at the spot.On receiving information, Sarnath police reached the site, collected the broken pieces of the idol, wrapped them in a cloth and placed them inside the temple.Police assured the villagers that those responsible for the vandalism will be identified and further action will be taken against them.
