Deoria (UP), May 14 (PTI) Unidentified individuals allegedly vandalised idols of Lord Hanuman and Nandi at a Kali Mata temple complex here, triggering tension in the area, police said on Thursday.
A case has been registered against unidentified persons and efforts were underway to nab them, Tarkulwa SHO Bhupendra Singh said, adding that the installation of new idols at the temple has also begun.
Idols at the temple situated on the Chhoti Gandak riverbanks in Konhwalia Babu Rai village in Tarkulwa area, were found damaged on Thursday morning after the priest, Yogendra Singh, reopened the premises following Wednesday's evening prayers, they added.
As news of the incident spread, villagers gathered at the site and staged protests. They alerted the village head, Ramkhyali Prasad, after which the police were informed.
Additional Superintendent of Police and Circle Officer Sadar Satendra Kumar Rai, along with personnel from four police stations, rushed to the spot and pacified the villagers, officials said.
The police deployed forces at the temple premises as a precautionary measure and launched an investigation.