Senior BJP leaders Uma Bharti and Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank today faced public rage as they arrived at Shrinagar in Uttarakhand to oppose the uplifting of the Dhari Devi temple, facing the threat of being submerged by the 330 mw Alknanda hydel project underway in the area.
The saffron leaders were shown black flags by locals, who are in favour of uplifting the temple, which according to them is a "technical necessity" for the completion of the poject.
This triggered a clash between supporters of the hydel project and those against it but no one was injured as police personnel deployed at the spot soon brought the situation under control, Shrinagar SDM Raza Abbas said.
Considering the sensitivity of the matter, additional police forces have been deployed in the area, he said.
The BJP is opposed to uplifting of the over a century old temple, which it says is "an effront to its sanctity".
But locals who have given their land for the project are in favour of its completion as they feel they would gain nothing if it is stalled midway.
