Durga Temple Vandalised in Jabalpur: 15 Arrested After Stone-Throwing and Street Violence

At least 15 people have been arrested after a Durga temple was vandalised in Sihora town of Jabalpur on Thursday night, triggering violent clashes and stone-pelting between members of two religious communities, police said.

The unrest began at Azad Chowk when a young man allegedly broke the grill of the temple while a puja was underway. The incident quickly escalated as members of one community reportedly began pelting stones, leading to heightened tensions in the area. Soon, groups armed with sticks gathered on the streets, further inflaming the situation.

Police teams led by senior officials rushed to the spot and used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and restore order. Authorities said the individual accused of vandalising the temple was also allegedly assaulted during the chaos.

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Sources indicated that a dispute over the use of a loudspeaker may have triggered the confrontation. One community had reportedly objected to the loudspeaker being used to signal namaz while the temple rituals were in progress. The temple and a mosque — Madina Masjid Ahle Sunnat — stand directly opposite each other at Azad Chowk, an arrangement officials said has historically made the area sensitive.

Police have so far identified more than two dozen people in connection with the violence, with 15 already detained. Officials added that vehicles belonging to the accused may also be seized as part of the investigation.

Meanwhile, a separate incident was reported in Bagalkote, where a Shivaji Jayanti procession briefly turned tense after stones were thrown near a mosque, some of which hit police personnel. Superintendent of Police Siddharth Goyal said additional security was deployed and the procession later continued peacefully.

In another development, police in Hyderabad reported a minor clash between two groups near a Jama Masjid in Amberpet. Officials said the situation is under review and security has been tightened in the area.

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