Jammu, Ma 24 : Chaos prevailed in Bawe Wali Mata temple shrine late last night, when volunteers of Bahu Fort Development Committee (BFDC) and some locals intercepted an Autorickshaw carrying sacred goats (shillis), offered by the pilgrims, for allegedly selling them in the market. According to eyewitness, chaotic situation was witnessed at Bawe Wali Mata temple at about 1 am when two persons, working in the temple shrine, were found illegally carrying 14 goats in a passenger Autorickshaw to allegedly sell them to a butcher at Gujjar Nagar. A protester alleged that a temple priest had sold the goats offered by pilgrims to the goddess Mahakali. While the people protested, police reached the spot at about 2.30 am and tried to pacify the angered people. Both the accused were arrested but the people continued to protest and blocked the main entry to temple shrine, disrupting the yatra. They demanded the arrest of the temple mahant for allegedly smuggling the sacred goats to a butcher in the holy Navratras. After the matter came to the notice of DGP K Rajindra, he at about 5.30 am directed SSP, Jammu, Uttam Chand to visit the spot. Reaching there, the SSP assured the protesters to conduct an inquiry as per law. Meanwhile, MP Shamsher Singh Manhas has asked the SSP to conduct fair investigation. The SSP assured the protesters that culpits would not be spared. On his assurance, the protesters dispersed and the yatra resumed at around 6 am.When contacted, Bitta Mahant denied the allegation of smuggling. He said the accused were temple workers and had been taking goats their homes. He, however, did not know about the actual number of goats offered on Tuesday. Pertinently, the affairs of Bawe Wali Mata are being managed by a single family from the Maharaja's era. There were no facilities for the pilgrims. |