Pakistan: Hindu temple vandalised last week has been restored, say authorities

A Hindu temple that was vandalised by a mob in Rahim Yar Khan district last week as a reaction to the alleged desecration of a Muslim seminary has been completely restored, the Pakistan government said on Monday, Dawn reported.

On August 4, hundreds of people descended on the temple in Bhong town, around 590 km from Lahore. The mob smashed temple windows, doors and idols with sticks and stones. The attack took place after after a local court granted bail to a nine-year-old Hindu boy who had allegedly urinated in the library of the seminary in June.

On Monday, the district’s Deputy Commissioner Khuram Shehzad said the temple has been handed over back to the Hindu community. He added that the restoration of the idols damaged during the incident would also be completed soon.

The entire cost of the temple’s renovation would be recovered from those involved in the attack, Shehzad said.

The police have filed a first information report under terrorism and other sections of the Pakistan Penal Code against more than 150 people in the case, according to PTI. District Police Officer Asad Sarfraz said that a total of 90 suspects have been arrested and investigation was underway.

Meanwhile, the nine-year-old boy accused of urinating in the seminary is currently in protective custody after becoming…

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