10 arrested for planning forcible takeover of Barsana temple

Ten members of a gang planning the forcible takeover of the famous Radha Rani temple in Barsana town in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh were arrested and firearms, bombs and live cartridges seized from them, police said on Wednesday.

"The arrested persons have been sent to jail," Mathura Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rakesh Prasad Singh told IANS.

The SSP said that a team comprising Superintendent of Police (rural) Ajay Kumar, Chata CO Atul Kumar Srivastav and Barsana SO Rajendra Nagar detained one person, Dinesh Das, on Monday night in connection with the case.

Vijendra and Itwari of Kama tehsil in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan were also arrested.

Following their interrogation, police arrested six others from Vijendra's house and seized several bombs, .315 bore rifles and live cartridges.

A case under the Arms and Explosives Act was registered against the accused, including Nanha Singh, Vasudev, Mukesh, Nahar Singh, Vinod and Baney Singh.

Police said that Dinesh claimed ownership of the temple on the basis of documents, including a will, in his possession. He said he has orders from Chata tehsil court in his favour as well.

Goswami Samaj, which manages the temple, however refuted Dinesh's contention and said the documents were "forged".

In the past week, Provincial Armed Constabulary and personnel from neighbouring police stations were deployed here in view of the tense situation over the temple issue.