Sambhal: The Sambhal district officials on Friday reopened an ancient temple that had been locked since communal riots in the town in 1978.
The authorities happened to “stumble” upon the temple house during an anti-encroachment in the area near the Shahi Jama Masjid, only to find a Hanuman idol and Shivling there.
Locals claimed that the Bhasma Shankar temple had remained since 1978 after the communal riots resulted in the displacement of the local Hindu community there.
During the checking of electricity theft in the area, information about the existence of a temple was revealed. During the raids in mosques and houses, large scale electricity theft was revealed. But during this time, on Saturday morning, the police was surprised when during the checking in Deepa Rai area, a temple was suddenly found which is said to be from the year 1978.
This discovery comes weeks after the violence over a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid claimed four lives. The Sambhal administration has launched a campaign drive to tackle encroachments and electricity thefts in the area around the Mughal-era mosque.
Meanwhile, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Misra, who was leading a campaign against electricity theft in the area, said that they came across the temple while conducting an inspection in the region. “Upon noticing it, I immediately informed the district authorities,” she said.
Hanuman ji, Shivling and Nandi in the temple
This temple which was closed for 46 years, was found at a distance of 200 meters from the house of SP MP Ziaur Rahman Barq. Hanuman ji’s statue, Shivling and Nandi are installed inside the temple. At present, the DM and SP have made tight security arrangements here.
Sambhal’s CO Anuj Chaudhary said that this temple has been there for many years. Even when the riots took place in 1978, the temple was here. Everyone here knows that after the riots, the Hindus left this place. After the information about the temple came to light, a well was also found during excavation. This well was covered.
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