Kishtwar Hindus to boycott polls over theft of ancient idols

Upset over administration's "failure" to solve the theft case of ancient idols from a temple in Kishtwar district, Hindus in Chatroo belt of the region have decided to boycott the polls.

"We have taken a unanimous decision at a meeting of the people of the area and mandir prabandhak committee to boycott polls as the local administration despite assurances has failed to work out the case and recover the stolen idols," president, Sanathan Dharam Sabha tehsil, Chatroo, Soba Ram Bhandari said.

The idols of goddess ashtha dash bhuja, which are over 400 years old, were stolen on December 5 last year from the Astha Bhuj Mata Parna temple. There are nearly 25,000 thousand Hindus voters in Chatroo belt of Kishtwar district, Secretary, Mandir Prabhandak Committee, Bal Asht Dash Bujha Chingam, Chuni Lal Shan said.

Earlier, the locals had launched an agitation over the issue following which the district administration had assured them that the idols will be recovered soon. Seeking full support from the majority community members on the issue, the local Hindus have appealed all to stay away from polls on April 23.