Damage to temple idol triggers tension in Khandwa block

Tension prevailed in the Khalta block headquarters of the district after an idol at a temple there was allegedly found damaged, following which locals launched an agitation to demand arrest of the culprit, police said.

The agitators, while staging a demonstration, enforced a 'chakka jam' on the road from Ashapur to Khar townships on the outskirts of the district which led to long queues of stranded vehicles, they said.

The agitators told the police that when they went to the temple this morning, they found the idol damaged even though the premises was locked during the night.

Attempts were being made to persuade the agitators to call off their agitation, police said adding that the situation in Khalta was tense but under control.