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The day after, Raghunath priests pray for weapons

The day after, Raghunath priests pray for weapons

Author: Pradeep Dutta
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: November 26, 2002
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=13720

The Dharmarth Trust which controls  most temples in Jammu and Kashmir-including the Raghunath Temple-has decided to provide arms training to priests and supply them licensed weapons to protect themselves from militant attacks.

''We conveyed our decision to Union Minister of State for Home I D Swami who visited the Raghunath Temple this morning,'' Thakur Diwakar Singh, president of the trust, told The Indian Express.

''The last time the temple was attacked, we spent lakhs building grills and beefing up security. The only thing left to do is to arm the priests,'' he said. Swami is said to have asked the trust to submit a written memorandum to the Centre.

The final toll of Sunday's fidayeen attack: 13 dead and 52 seriously injured, including five priests. All the 45 priests at the Raghunath Temple have reportedly have expressed their willingness to get arms training.

''In the current situation, it's not possible to function without guns,'' said Ashok Sharma, one of the oldest priests at the temple. ''We saw militants firing at security forces on Sunday but were empty-handed and could do nothing,'' added another priest.

Ajatshatru Singh, former minister and a patron of the trust, said a separate demand for protection of temples in the Valley has also sent to the Centre. The list includes the Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar, Ram Temple, Khirbhawani, Sathu Temple, Amarnath Shrine and one temple each in Pahalgam and Gulmarg.
 


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